Newcastle United will look to improve upon their disappointing home record in the Premier League this season when they host second-place Manchester United at St James' Park on Sunday, having picked up a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend.

The point means that the Magpies lie just two places and one point above the relegation zone ahead of their clash against the Red Devils, and their results on Tyneside this season – combined with Jose Mourinho's men's form on the road – suggests they are in for a tough battle.

According to SoccerStats.com, the hosts have the worst record on their patch this term having only taken 13 points and scored 11 goals in their 13 top flight matches, while United have the joint-second best total in the division with 24 points from 13 games.

While the draw in south London could prove to be crucial at the end of the campaign, Toon manager Rafa Benitez will be well aware that his team need to improve at home if they are to avoid instant relegation back to the Championship.

The Spaniard may be tempted to stick with the same XI that picked up a result against the Eagles, but the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss will regret it if he fails to make a couple of alterations.

Here are two changes Benitez must make to his Newcastle team when they host Man United…

Jacob Murphy for Matt Ritchie

While Ritchie was one of the key players for Newcastle as they won the Championship title last season, he perhaps hasn't had the impact his manager and the St James' Park faithful may have expected in the Premier League this season.

The 28-year-old has failed to score and provided six assists in 24 top flight appearances this term, but only two of those have come in the Scotland international's last 19 outings.

The winger only played 18 minutes of the defeat against Manchester City and the draw against Burnley before he started at Selhurst Park, but while he did ok defensively he once again didn't do enough in the final third for his team.

When you are playing Man United you need to make the most of the few opportunities you are likely to have, and Murphy certainly showed he has the pace, quality and composure to do that following his brilliant dinked finish against City, and he should start in place of Ritchie on Sunday.

Islam Slimani for Dwight Gayle

Having scored just 24 goals in 26 Premier League matches, it is clear to see that Newcastle need a boost in attack and that is why Rafa Benitez brought Leicester City striker Slimani to St James' Park on loan until the end of the season on deadline day.

The Algeria international missed the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday because of a thigh injury, but he should be in contention to make his debut by facing Jose Mourinho's men and he must come straight into the starting line-up in place of Dwight Gayle.

Not only is the £30m Foxes man more suited to the lone striker role that Benitez prefers than Gayle, but the 27-year-old is also without a goal in his previous 10 top flight appearances for the Magpies.

While Slimani has struggled to make an impression at the King Power Stadium, his goal record for Sporting Lisbon – 57 in 111 games – and his country – 26 in 55 caps – suggest that he can cause Man United plenty of problems on Sunday.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.