Jose Mourinho: 'No way Newcastle United will go down'

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

"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."