Newcastle United midfielder Christian Atsu has insisted that his side must take all three points against Manchester United when they travel to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

The Magpies are currently without a win in their opening seven games, sitting 18th in the Premier League table.

United will be looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United, but Atsu is determined to spoil the Red Devils' party in Manchester.

"We have to win that game to release the pressure, to give us more confidence, and so we can have a better look in the table," Atsu told reporters.

"We are going to work hard in training to improve, each and every one of us. We know it will be difficult at Old Trafford but we have no excuse. The game is going to be very hard because they lost [against West Ham]. They are a big team, they don't lose many games in a row.

"It will be very difficult and we won't want to lose the game. It will be a tough one but we will be doing everything we can to win it."

Atsu joined Newcastle permanently for £6.2m from Chelsea last year after a successful loan spell at the club.