Manchester United keeper Sergio Romero feels the need for a cool down during the warm up with a soaking from his water bottle, while Wayne Rooney has been working on his finishing (the less said about one he shanked over the bar the better.)

The warm ups are over and there is another load of soaking going on, with the on-pitch sprinklers now watering the turf a final time.

Louis van Gaal has claimed he isn’t interested about Wayne Rooney’s lack of goals as long as Manchester United are winning.

But you can be sure Rooney is. It’s no goals in nine United games for the England captain but he does love playing Newcastle.

Rooney has scored 12 goals and assisted seven more in 20 Premier League appearances against the Toon.

Here is his heat map from the opening day of the season at Old Trafford when Man Utd defeated Spurs. Be sure to compare it with how he gets on against Newcastle this afternoon, something you can do with our excellent match zone service.

‘He [Aleksandar Mitrovic] looks strong in training and we need more presence away from home. Last week was one step back after two forward against Southampton. I was disappointed.

‘We don’t want to take away Mitrovic’s aggression but we have spoken to him. Hopefully he calms down but continues to be physical.’

Old Trafford is not even half full yet, but you can expect only a few empty red seats to be in sight by kick-off.

In the meantime, there is a welcome applause on to the field for the Manchester United players as they warm up, silence for the Newcastle boys… tough crowd.

‘I have to build him up and when you want more than 45 minutes you have to start with him,’ Louis van Gaal told BT Sport.

‘He has to prove himself. I have great confidence in him because he is a coaching player and that’s important.

‘We have more midfelders in midfield who can coach, Michael Carrick can also.

‘I want to spare Carrick for other matches. Last year he was injured and I want to defend that, that’s why he isn’t playing.

‘I’ve said to Wayne [Rooney] you don’t have to score. When we win I’m satisfied.’

Manchester United make just the one change from the mid-week Champions League win over Club Bruges, Michael Carrick is dropped following his own goal at Old Trafford and he is replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger in his first start for the club.

There are three changes for Newcastle. Out of the side go Fabricio Coloccini, the injured Moussa Sissoko and Papiss Cisse, as Aleksandar Mitrovic also makes his first start and is joined in the side by Steven Taylor and Ayoza Perez.

Man Utd: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Januzaj, Depay, Rooney.
Subs: Hernandez, Carrick, Young, Ander Herrera, Valencia, McNair, Johnstone.

Newcastle: Krul, Coloccini, Mbemba, Taylor, Haidara, Anita, Colback, Obertan, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovic.
Subs: Williamson, Cisse, De Jong, Aarons, Thauvin, Tiote, Darlow.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

Krul, Mbemba, Taylor, Coloccini, Haidara, Anita, Colback, Perez, Wijnaldum, Obertan, Mitrovic.

Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Januzaj, Memphis, Rooney.

…but will he make an impact this afternoon? Team news is on the way next. Reports suggest Bastian Schweinsteiger starts for the hosts.

Click here for more fixtures, tables and results with our excellent Match Zone

…but it’s the sprinklers rather than the clouds giving the pitch a good ol’ soaking before the game. Players are arriving at the ground now.

Always a big fan to see what is on the Old Trafford playlist which is broadcasted over the stadium speakers before the game.

Unlike Tuesday against Club Bruges, there is no David Bowie (boo!) but there is some Rolling Stones included during the peak run up to kick-off with Sympathy for the Devil (the debate over whether Guns N’ Roses did it better is for another day).

It’s quite a varied cater for all list, so pick out your favourites from this lot…

Good morning, all. Welcome to live coverage of Manchester United vs Newcastle United where the Red Devils will be chasing a fourth consecutive win in all competitions.

That includes a third in the Premier League, and victory this afternoon would propel them top until at least 5.45pm.

Can Memphis Depay kick on from his Old Trafford heroics against Club Bruges earlier this week?