Howe tells of "buzz" in Magpies camp ahead of Red Devils showdown

United head to Old Trafford on the back of two emphatic victories - the 4-1 triumph at Fulham and the 5-1 thrashing of Brentford at St. James' Park.

Howe's men's fine form over the past fortnight has lifted Newcastle into the Premier League's top six, and another win on Sunday would see them leapfrog their opponents, who currently sit in fifth spot.

Here are some of the key points made by the Magpies' head coach during his media briefing on Friday morning...

On the fitness of Alexander Isak, Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie...

"Alex is making progress. He's not available this for this game.

"It's slow progress for Emil. It's a serious injury. He is back in Sweden at the moment with his family in the early stages of his rehab. Knowing Emil, he will do his work and he will be very dedicated to that, but we're very disappointed for him because he was an important part of our squad. We're missing him.

"(Shelvey) is getting closer. He has trained - not necessarily full training at this moment in time, but he's very, very close and he's doing very well.

"Matt's picked up a calf problem. We don't know whether he'll be back for the World Cup break, but he's doing well."

On his side's recent form and their resulting league position...

"Winning is so important. It changes everything. It changes perception, it changes feeling. The players have trained very well this week - there's been a bounce and a buzz around the group.

"I'm keen to make sure that the dangers that come with winning don't rear their head, like complacency or overconfidence, so it's a very thin line to getting the optimum performance. We've been pushing the group this week to get one more."

On Manchester United and their new boss Erik ten Hag...

"I think they've got outstanding individual players and a very, very good manager who I think will do a great job there.

"I think they're now going to develop their philosophy and their style of play, and I think you can see that already emerging. They've given some very good displays and I think it's promising signs for them as a team.

"From our side, I think we have to go into every game with no fear and believing that we can win, and the performance levels have been very high. We're looking for the same again."

On wingers Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almirón's impressive recent displays and the options Howe has at his disposal...

"I think those players that you mentioned have done a great job for the team. There are different stories, really, behind both of them but Miggy is scoring goals and in a really good place at the moment.

"And Murph has come in in the last two games and given very, very good performances for the team and individually for him. It was great to see him score last week as well.

"I think there's competition there when you think see how good Ryan Fraser is as well, and Maxi (Allan Saint-Maximin) speaks for himself. Joelinton came on and played wide briefly the other day, so we've got really good options in that position.

"But we're going to need them, because every game is different. The challenge is different. There's different physical demands as well. I'm very pleased to have that strong group."

On Bruno Guimarães' stunning impact...

"I'd just say he's done unbelievably well. The thing that has pleasantly surprised me is you never quite know your relationship with a player when you sign - you never quite know how that will gel between me and him, and him amd the squad. It is a lot of guesswork.

"But that that has been the most pleasant surprise for me - he's fitted in so well and epitomised, really, the the team spirit and the drive that we need to be successful.

"I think the supporters have seen that and taken to him from day one, so off the pitch - absolutely brilliant. But I think on the pitch, he speaks for himself. I don't think I have to really comment too much on his performances."