Erik ten Hag makes Manchester United top-four admission before Newcastle game

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants his players to draw on recent challenges during the Newcastle game on Saturday night (8pm) as they continue to 'smell' a place in the top-four.

Despite their early-season woes, United are within touching distance of the Champions League spots yet again, while victory against the Magpies would move them a point behind Aston Villa in fourth place. United have won five out of their last six Premier League matches, keeping three straight clean sheets.

In the run-up to St. James' Park on Saturday night, United have played Everton and Galatasaray on the road this week alone. They also visited Copenhagen last month with Ten Hag calling on United to use their experiences in those matches to help them gun down Newcastle.

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Speaking in his matchday Q&A for the club website, Ten Hag said: "We have experienced [tough atmospheres] in the last two weeks with Copenhagen, Everton and Galatasaray. We are looking forward again, because that's the best thing about football that you have such experiences and such challenges.

"That energises you as an individual and a team. We will be ready for that game."

Ten Hag continued: "Injuries or not, it will not change their approach. Newcastle are a very good team and they have a very good mentality.

"We have to play our best to get the points there. Of course, that's the objective and we are in a great position.

"We are smelling the top four. We have to get there and [to do that] you have to win big games.

"It's not going to be easy and we know they're going to be highly motivated against us. We have to match that, not only match that but do even