Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has talked up his admiration for Newcastle United and insists that this weekend's opponents will retain their Premier League status.

The Magpies are one of a number of sides at immediate threat of dropping into the bottom three, finding themselves just a point above the dotted line ahead of Sunday's match.

Mourinho has yet to triumph at St James' Park across two stints at former club Chelsea, however, and the Portuguese believes that opposite number Rafael Benitez - with whom he has fallen out in the past - can steer the club to safety.

"I think it is the only stadium [I have failed to win at]... also Huddersfield, but I played there only once," he told reporters at his pre-match presser. "I think it is difficult [at Newcastle], honestly. I always felt beautiful matches but difficult matches.

"I like to go there, I like the feeling of going to [the late Sir Bobby] Robson's home, I like the stadium, I like the atmosphere. They are a good, enthusiastic crowd, I like the Geordies. But... I couldn't win.

"I lost and I drew a few times. I hope the result is different this time but I know the characteristics of the game will not be different. They have a good team and I think they had a good transfer window, getting Kenedy and [Islam] Slimani, two players I know very well, who can really improve the team.

"Benitez knows how to get points, so I think it is going to be difficult. If you ask me if I think Newcastle will be in the Championship next season, I say 'no way'. I think they know how to get the points to stay in the division."

Man United won the reverse fixture 4-1, but were held to a 3-3 draw when the sides last faced off in the North-East two years ago.