Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early kickoff in the Premier League as Manchester United host Newcastle United at Old Trafford. Neither side will be entirely happy with their start to the domestic season, but the crucial difference is that five points separate them in the table after just two games. First things first, let's start with a look at the team news...

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Januzaj, Memphis; Rooney

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Johnstone, McNair, Valencia, Carrick, Herrera, Young, Hernandez

NEWCASTLE UNITED STARTING XI: Krul; Mbemba, Taylor, Coloccini, Haidara; Anita, Colback, Perez, Wijnaldum, Obertan; Mitrovic

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Williamson, Cisse, De Jong, Aarons, Thauvin, Tiote, Darlow

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well the most notable inclusion from a Manchester United standpoint is that of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who makes his first start for the club in the centre of midfield. He has featured off the bench in all of their three matches so far this season, but is given the nod from the get go this afternoon. Michael Carrick drops to the bench as a result, having scored an own goal and been subbed at half time of United's victory over Club Brugge in midweek.

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Elsewhere, Rooney again leads the line having taken some criticism for his performances so far this season. He was barely involved at all against Aston Villa last Friday and once again failed to make a huge difference on Tuesday. He does have a magnificent record against Newcastle, however, having scored 12 and assisted seven goals in his 20 Premier League appearances against the Magpies, including two the last time these met at Old Trafford. If he is to get out of his slump, this is the perfect opponent for him to do it against.

One player who didn't struggle for form in midweek was Memphis Depay, who opened his United account in some style. He scored two very well-taken goals in that match and gave his opposite number the runaround, continually cutting inside onto his right and causing plenty of problems. He also got the assist for the third United goal right at the death, and Louis van Gaal will be hoping that the big-money summer arrival can kick on from that having failed to really hit his stride so far in the Premier League.

Januzaj continues alongside him in the number 10 role having scored the only goal of the game against Villa last time out in the league, while Mata also starts once again. Defensively, there are no changes as once again David de Gea misses out, although Van Gaal did say recently that the goalkeeper will not be sold this summer. Romero is yet to concede a league goal, and that is largely down to the form of Chris Smalling, who has made a very impressive start to the campaign in the heart of the defence.

As for Newcastle, they make three changes from the side that was beaten by Swansea last time out, including a first start for Mitrovic up front. The striker has not exactly covered himself in glory during his two brief sub appearances so far, getting booked within minutes of his introduction on both occasions. Early signs suggest that discipline may be a problem for him, then, but McClaren clearly feels that he can cause United more problems than Cisse this afternoon.

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Elsewhere, one of the changes is an enforced one with Janmaat suspended following his first-half red card against Swansea.l Mbemba moves over to right-back as a result, which also sees Taylor come into the side in the middle of the back four. Ayoze Perez is also welcomed back into the side as Sissoko misses out with a groin problem. Wijnaldum, who opened his account for the club on the opening day, and Obertan complete the trio just behind Mitrovic.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Newcastle team news is in fact the bench. Cisse is demoted to the subs in favour of Mitrovic starting up front, while fans will be happy to see the likes of De Jong and Aarons on there having both suffered with long-term injuries recently. McClaren is likely to ease both of them back in slowly, but Aarons in particular made a very bright start to his Newcastle career last season, so the Magpies will be looking forward to getting him back.

Another name on the Newcastle bench is Florian Thauvin, who joined the Magpies this week and goes straight into the squad. Remy Cabella moved in the opposite direction, and Thauvin will be hopeful of having more of an impact than his compatriot at St James' Park. He is expected to get some time this afternoon, and it is certainly an exciting signing from a Newcastle perspective.

Five points separate these two sides in the table after just two games of the season, with Manchester United having begun the campaign with a 100% record. In truth, it hasn't been entirely convincing from the Red Devils so far, but they have edged to two 1-0 victories and are one of just four teams to have won both of their games so far.

Perhaps the most pleasing thing for Van Gaal in those opening two games will be their defensive record. They are one of just three teams yet to concede this season, while the only goal they have let in in any competition was an own goal against Club Brugge on Tuesday. Considering De Gea is still to come back into the side should he not be sold before September 1, that is certainly something for the Red Devils to build on.

They are yet to really get firing on all cylinders at the other end of field, with their only league goals so far being an own goal and a deflected strike from Januzaj. They did show much more of an attacking threat against Club Brugge in midweek, but their challenge now is to carry that over to domestic action. Only Man City scored more goals at home than United throughout last season, so they will be confident of getting this up and running today.

Indeed, their home form was very impressive all round last season, which is a far cry from the ill-fated David Moyes spell in charge of the club. Van Gaal made Old Trafford something of a fortress again, with United losing just three times there in the league throughout the entire 2014-15 campaign. Only the top two amassed more points in front of their own fans last season as United returned to Europe with a fourth-placed finish.

The size of Newcastle's task this afternoon is perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that United have only lost once at home in the league since January. That defeat came at the hands of West Bromwich Albion towards the end of last season, while they have won 15 of their last 19 home league games. The next home game is a big one as well, as United welcome bitter rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford.

Their form often comes back to their defensive record recently, and surprisingly this season is the first time that they have kept clean sheets in their opening two league games since the 2005-06 season. Another interesting statistic, which may temper the loss of David de Gea should he depart, is that United have not conceded in the four Premier League games the Spaniard has missed since the start of the 2013-14 season.

For all of that defensive strength, they have still scored more than once in just one of their last eight league matches, and their attacking options were dealt a blow this week when Pedro opted to join Chelsea ahead of the Red Devils, having been linked with a move to Old Trafford for much of the summer. It has been a relatively stressful time for the club in the transfer window recently, in fact, with Man City also beating them to the signature of Otamendi.

As for Newcastle, they have not enjoyed the best start to life under Steve McClaren, with the former England boss still searching for his first victory in charge of the club. It hasn't been the easiest start to the season, with Southampton and Swansea in their first two games and United providing the opposition today, but should they still only have one point by the end of the 90 minutes here then the fans may be beginning to worry a little.

Last time out the Magpies fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea, who have admittedly been very impressive so far this season. Newcastle also had to play the majority of that match with 10 men after Daryl Janmaat picked up two bookings by the 41st minute. It was an inevitable red considering how much trouble the full-back was having dealing with Montero, but it was still a stupid piece of play from Janmaat and the ref had little option but to send him off. It could have been even worse for McClaren had Sigurdsson found the top corner with an effort rather than hitting the underside of the bar.

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There are quite a few teams still looking for a first win of the season, but defeat by more than one goal this afternoon would see the Magpies drop into the relegation zone at this early stage of the campaign. Only three teams have conceded more goals in the first two games, although the fact that two of those - Chelsea and Southampton - boasting the best defensive records last season may provide some consolation for Newcastle. Plus, there is also the fact that bitter rivals Sunderland are bottom of the pile to cheer any Magpies up.

If they are to improve on last season's 15th-place finish then they simply must do better on their travels. Newcastle picked up just 13 points on the road last season, the second lowest tally in the league behind relegated QPR. They only won three away games, while only Aston Villa scored fewer and only QPR conceded more.

Indeed, stretching back to last season Newcastle have now lost their last seven Premier League away games, equal to their record from October 1999. The last time they lost eight in a row came in October 1977. They have failed to score in six of this ongoing seven-match run, notching just one goal and conceding 18 in the process. The winless on the road since January, and a 3-0 victory over Hull in that month is their only away Premier League triumph in their last 14.

Discipline has been a problem for the Magpies recently, with Janmaat's red last weekend being the eighth dismissal they have received since the start of last season - more than anyone else in the league. With Mitrovic's two quickfire bookings too, the Magpies need to be careful that they don't develop something of a reputation, and McClaren will surely be looking to stamp that aspect of their game out.

Speaking of McClaren, the Newcastle boss will be making his return to Old Trafford today having spent a very successful two-and-a-half-year spell as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant from 1999-2001. During that time, he won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup - the latter of which saw United beat Newcastle in the final.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Old Trafford, which means that it is time for a prediction! United have an excellent record against Newcastle down the years and, considering their home record compared to Newcastle's away record too, I can't see anything other than a comfortable home victory today. I'm going for 3-0 to Louis van Gaal's side.

We were unanimous in our predictions of a home victory on the Sports Mole sofa this week. Take a look at what we had to say about this game in our video preview below:

I mentioned United's record against Newcastle there, and considering the Magpies have at times been a force in the top flight, it is somewhat surprising that they have only ever won one of their 21 visits to Old Trafford since 1992. Indeed, they have lost to United more often than any other side in Premier League history, being beaten by the Red Devils 25 times.

United have won all of the last three meetings, scoring eight goals and conceding just one in the process. The corresponding fixture last season saw them run out 3-1 victors on Boxing Day, while the last meeting between these two sides resulted in a 1-0 win for Van Gaal's side, with Ashley Young netting the only goal of the game in the 89th minute.

Right, the players are out and we're just about ready to go at Old Trafford here. Can United maintain their 100% start to the season, or will Newcastle pull off a shock and claim their first win under Steve McClaren?

KICKOFF: Newcastle get us underway for the weekend's early kickoff, with a win for United putting them top of the table for a few hours at least.

Bright early start from United as they look to set the tone straight away here. They have dominated possession in the opening exchanges, and it is all coming in Newcastle half. Memphis has the first shot of the afternoon, but it doesn't really test Tim Krul.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Rooney has the ball in the back of the net, but the flag is up for offside. There isn't much of a complaint from the United skipper, but the replay suggests that he was level with the last defender with Januzaj slipped the pass through. That goal should have stood.

SAVE! That goal may not have counted, but if things carry on like this then it won't be long before United break the deadlock. They are all over Newcastle at the moment, but Rooney fires his latest effort straight at Krul, who makes a simple stop.

Good work from Memphis as he comes down the left before pulling the ball into the box for Rooney. He exchanges passes with Mata on the edge of the area, but Coloccini makes an important interception.

This has been one-way traffic so far. Newcastle have not been able to get into the game whatsoever so far, and United look like the only side likely to score right now.

Danger for Newcastle as Ayoze Perez concedes a free kick within shooting range with a poor challenge on Darmian. Mata and Memphis standing over this one...

SAVE! It favours the left-footer, and it is indeed Mata who goes for goal. He gets it past the wall and on target, but it lacks the necessary power to truly trouble Krul, who makes a relatively straightforward stop.

There is some rather desperate defending going on from Newcastle right now as first Haidara and then Taylor throw themselves in the way of low cross from either flank. The deliveries needed to be better from United there.

CHANCE! Newcastle are defending their penalty area like their lives depend on it, but the breakthrough is surely not far away. Mata has the best chance of the match so far, cutting inside before drilling a low strike towards the near post. Krul gets down really well to make a very smart stop, though.

SAVE! Krul is called into action once again, but this time it is a more straightforward stop for the Dutchman. Rooney cut inside onto his right foot and tried to curl one in from the edge of the box, but it was straight at the keeper.

United have already had six attempts on goal, while Newcastle have not fired off a shot so far. The Magpies have barely even had the ball in the United half.

YELLOW CARD! Darmian was a little fortunate to get away without a card just a minute or so ago, but this time he isn't so lucky as he becomes the first man in the book for a trip on Haidara.

YELLOW CARD! Haidara quickly follows Darmian into the book for a late foul on Blind having broken into the box. Blind made a very important tackle and, in his attempts to get a shot away, Haidara caught the Dutch centre-back.

CHANCE! Memphis is looking bright again today, and he has Mbemba right where he wants him. He flicks the ball past the makeshift full-back and collects it the other side, but his finish is tame and straight at Krul. The end product has just been lacking a little for the hosts so far.

OFF THE BAR! It has been all United so far, but out of nothing Newcastle come within inches of breaking the deadlock. It is Mitrovic who has the attempt, getting a fine header on Mbemba's cross. Romero is well beaten, but the ball comes back off the crossbar. Very unlucky for the striker as that was a superb effort.

CHANCE! United have another chance at the other end, but some more desperate defending from Newcastle sees the opening go begging. Memphis was played through on goal and took the ball round Krul, but the angle is against the winger and Newcastle hurry men back. Memphis looks for Rooney, but the pass is intercepted and eventually they complete the clearance.

Newcastle are beginning to show a little more promise in the final third, but this time the cross is too high for Mitrovic and he can only glance it behind for a goal kick. This has been a very entertaining match so far.

United have just lost their stranglehold on the match a little in the last few minutes. They are still on top and look like the most likely team to open the scoring, but it isn't quite complete dominance right now as it has been for the majority of the opening half an hour.

The hosts are struggling to get Rooney involved at the moment. Memphis is again looking the most dangerous for Van Gaal's side, although his finishing has been a little weak when he has had the chance to shoot.

Schweinsteiger, as expected, is acting as the more advanced of the two central midfielders, which is a role Schneiderlin usually plays when in there with Carrick. Both of those two could do with picking the pace back up in this one, though, as the game as certainly slowed in the last five minutes or so.

Almost a shooting chance for Newcastle as Mitrovic and Wijnaldum link up on the right. A cross eventually arrives to Perez, but he turns down the chance to hit it first time, instead taking a touch which allows United to get a block in.

Memphis wants a free kick having cut inside and gone down under the challenge of Mbemba, but the referee is right to turn it down. The winger was looking for that one and went down far too easily.

Good work from Haidara down the left as he bursts forward to latch on to a through-ball down the flank. He gets a cross away too, but Blind is in the right place to turn it behind for a corner.

United have enjoyed 65% possession in this first half, and the way they dominated the early stages they will be wondering just how they aren't ahead here. It is Newcastle that have come closest to a goal, though.

CLOSE! Newcastle come close again! Smalling looks to have dealt with the danger, but a slip allows Newcastle back in. The ball breaks to Perez on the edge of the box and he hits a first-time effort that trickles narrowly past the far post.

Rooney has just been forced to drop deep into his own half to collect the ball, which is not where United want to see him. He is really struggling to get into the game right now.

United have a great chance to break with Januzaj leading the charge having stolen the ball. He has Mata and Rooney in support, and they are soon joined by Memphis. However, Coloccini produces a fine sliding challenge to stop the attack dead.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

The goalless but entertaining opening 45 minutes comes to an end at Old Trafford. Both sides have had chances to break the deadlock, but neither have been able to make the most of them. United started very much on top, dominating the opening exchanges, but Newcastle edged their way back into the game and actually came closest to scoring.

The Magpies struck the crossbar through Mitrovic, who sent a brilliant header beyond the reach of Romero and towards the top corner. The cross from Mbemba was also a good one, but Mitrovic was unfortunate to see gus effort comes back off the crossbar.

In truth, it would have been unjust had Newcastle taken the lead at that point, as it had been one-way traffic until then. United were very impressive in the opening exchanges and had the ball in the back of the net after just four minutes, but Rooney's goal was disallowed for offside. The replays suggest that the United skipper was level with the last defender, but in fairness to the linesman it was a very tight call.

The hosts created a glut of chances during their time on top, with Mata in particular coming close with a low effort towards the bottom corner that Krul had to be alert to save. In truth, that is the only really testing save Krul has had to make so far despite United having a number of shooting opportunities.

The likes of Memphis and Rooney have both fired rather tame efforts straight at Krul when they should have done better. In general, United's build-up play has been very bright so far, but their end product is lacking at the moment. The pace of the game slowed as the first half wore on too, which allowed Newcastle back into it and saw Rooney drop deeper and deeper.

KICKOFF: United get us back underway at Old Trafford and Memphis immediately gets onto the front foot. He carries the ball all the way to the byline, but his attempted cross towards Rooney is disappointing.

United have quickly grabbed hold of the possession again here, but they haven't started this half with the same intensity that was there at the beginning of the match.

There has been a slight change for United at the start of this second half, with Januzaj staying out on the right flank, allowing Mata to operate in his preferred central role.

Decent spell for Newcastle as they begin to see a little more of the ball inside the United half. There are certainly enough signs to suggest that the visitors could get something from this game.

If United are to regain their complete control of this match then they need to get this man back involved. He has a magnificent record against Newcastle, but failure to score today would make it 10 without a goal for Rooney.

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No chances to speak of in this second half so far, which is a far cry from the first half. Newcastle have done really well to get themselves back into this game.

YELLOW CARD! Obertan goes into the book against his former club for a foul on Memphis, gifting United a free kick within shooting range.

This time it is Memphis who goes for goal, but the winger plants his effort straight into the Newcastle wall.

MAN UTD SUB: Schweinsteiger's first Premier League start lasts just under an hour as he becomes the first man withdrawn. On comes Michael Carrick in his place.

Darmian has got forward really well down the right so far, but Perez has stuck to his defensive duties and not given the marauding right-back any space down that flank. Newcastle's last-ditch defending has been very good today.

SHOT! Memphis got both of his midweek goals by cutting inside onto his right, and he does the same again here to create a chance to shoot. He snatches at his eventual effort, however, and it misses the target by a long way.

CHANCE! The first real chance of the second half falls the way of the hosts and Chris Smalling, who really should have scored. The centre-back attacked a corner, which arrived to him on the edge of the six-yard box. Coloccini is in close attendance, but Smalling is the wrong side of him and should cushion his volley home. He doesn't make proper contact, however, and the chance goes begging.

United are beginning to see more of the ball in the Newcastle third again, and the pressure is starting to build a little more on the Magpies. McClaren will be pleased with what he has seen from his side so far, though.

MAN UTD SUB: A second change for the hosts as Javier Hernandez comes on for his first Premier League appearance since the opening day of last season. Januzaj is the man to make way.

NEWCASTLE SUB: The visitors make a change of their own, and it is a significant one as Florian Thauvin makes his Newcastle bow in place of Obertan.

YELLOW CARD! Not a bad start from Thauvin as he leaves Shaw on the floor with a drop of the should. Shaw pulls the debutant down with him, and earns a yellow for his troubles.

Rooney has been quiet in this second half so far, but he almost springs into life here. The ball is fed into him inside the box and he takes it down on his chest, but Taylor blocks the subsequent volley.

SHOT! Speaking of volleys, Rooney is played through down the left and stands a nice cross up to the back post. Mata arrives and hits a first-time volley on his weaker right foot, but blazes it high and wide.

CHANCE! Another chance for the hosts as Carrick stands a cross up from the right flank. Memphis has peeled off his man but completely misjudges his header when he really should have done better. The ball eventually drops to Mata, but his effort deflects off Memphis and into the arms of Krul.

SAVE! Krul is called into action once more by some good work from Shaw, who plays a one-two with Hernandez on the edge of the box before letting fly. He scuffs his shot, however, and it is relatively easy for the keeper.

MAN UTD SUB: A third and final change for the hosts as Antonio Valencia replaces Darmian.

NEWCASTLE SUB: McClaren responds with a change of his own, and it is a defensive one as Cheick Tiote comes on in place of Ayoze Perez.

CHANCE! Huge chance for United to finally break the deadlock! Carrick slides a pass in to Hernandez, who tees it up for Mata just outside the box. The Spaniard's effort is blocked but breaks very kindly for Hernandez, who suddenly finds himself clean through on goal. Krul is off his line in a flash, however, and makes a very good save to keep the scores level.

Newcastle have defended very well in this second half especially, but their ball retention needs to be better. They just can't keep it right now, and as a result United are able to build some sustained pressure. It keeps coming straight back at them.

United don't have Fellaini of course due to suspension, and you can be sure that Van Gaal would have thrown him on by now had he been able. They need a plan B right now.

Coloccini has been a rock at the back today and he makes another vital block here to deny Valencia's volley from inside the area. Newcastle still hanging on.

NEWCASTLE SUB: A third and final change for the visitors sees Papiss Cisse replace Mitrovic, who has enjoyed a decent game today.

OFF THE POST! It just won't go in for United! Smalling rises well to win a header from a corner and does pretty much everything right, planting a firm downward effort towards the bottom corner. A mixture of Anita and the post see it bounce out, however. Newcastle break up the other end and have three on one, but Cisse's shot/cross is just beyond the reach of Thauvin. Newcastle perhaps should have won it there!

We are into the second of four added minutes at the end of this match.

CLOSE! The pressure is really starting to build now as Carrick goes close to a winner, lashing a piledriver of a half-volley towards goal that deflects wide.

Newcastle do manage to hold out for a very good point at Old Trafford as United's 100% start to the season comes to an end. They are still unbeaten and are yet to concede, but they really should have won this game. Having said that, Newcastle came within a whisker of snatching all three points and getting a first win under McClaren with big moments in either half.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining contest between Manchester United and Newcastle United, despite the lack of goals. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. Our coverage of all the 3pm Premier League games is already underway, so if it's more football you're after, we have you covered! From me, though, it is goodbye for now.