Mark Lawrenson makes Newcastle United relegation battle claim ahead of Man Utd clash

Writing his weekly predictions piece for BBC Sport, pundit and broadcaster Mark Lawrenson tipped the Red Devils to secure a comfortable 2-0 win on home turf.

Explaining his choice, the former Liverpool defender claimed: "Newcastle are the team that everyone in the bottom three thinks they can catch - realistically they are the only other team who could still be dragged into the relegation places.

"The Magpies are not playing well, and that gives the sides below them hope that if they keep going they can catch them. I don't see anything happening at Old Trafford to change that."

"Manchester United have had a few problems at home in breaking down teams who go there just to defend but I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will find a way through."

Lawro continued: "At the other end, I'm not convinced by Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof as being a centre-half pairing good enough to win the title - Maguire lacks a turn of pace while Lindelof is decent but not strong enough.

"You know you can get at them but, without the injured Callum Wilson, the Magpies won't carry much of a threat."

Meanwhile, Lawro's opponent for the week, Architects frontman and Man Utd fan Sam Carter, backed his side to beat Newcastle 3-1, and stated: " We need to win. Newcastle will score, because we seem to love letting teams score at the moment, but if we get a goal then the shackles will come off."