Newcastle's next five games offer opportunities and a true test of Steve Bruce and his new-look side.
After two international breaks checked momentum, United will hope to improve on their inconsistent start - while Steve Bruce needs displays to answer his critics.
Here's how we see the next five unfolding.
Chelsea (h) - Score draw
Saturday morning's Blues clash might well be a true measure of Steve Bruce, whose performance as boss - and this season - continues to split opinion.
Bruce's Magpies have picked up some notable results - a defeat of Everton that was comprehensive and wins over Burnley and West Ham that showcased a team capable of turning the screw - but more often than not have flattered to deceive or been outright wretched (including the Southampton debacle).
So with a fortnight to work on plans, we need to see something this weekend. Whether that's a way of improving Newcastle's execution against a big club or getting closer to Chelsea than they did to Manchester United, the team is nigh for Newcastle to show the progression fans are asking for.
Callum Wilson should be back, and a draw would be typical of a Newcastle side that usually respond to setbacks.
Palace (a) - Defeat
The kind of game that has the habit of tripping Newcastle up.
Palace were powered by Eberechi Eze and their attacking instincts against Leeds and could provide the sort of problems Southampton did for United.
But against a team fighting in the same tier of the Premier League United are (mid-table pushing for top eight, trying to stay out of relegation trouble), there is a necessity to prove a point.
Villa (a) - Win
Newcastle need to win one of the Villa or Palace tests and ironically, I can see a side that have impressed this season being tailor-made for Bruce's Magpies.
Villa will set up to attack with offensive weapons like Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley (the latter a Newcastle loan target, only for Bruce to be denied due to budgetary constraints) but if United can conjure the sort of shape and discipline they had against Everton they'd be ripe for the picking.
WBA (h) - Win
The Baggies are winless and if that's still the case by their December date with Newcastle you'd have to worry for them. Slaven Bilic is not leading a happy ship and they will bracket the Magpies along with games against Sheffield United and Palace as possible wins.
Newcastle illustrated last season at the Hawthorns that they have the tools to win these sorts of matches and every time this season they've come up against a team they should beat, they have.
I can see a victory here.
Leeds (a) - Loss
Marcelo Bielsa's side have impressed in their early Premier League knockings, running Liverpool and Manchester City and picking up notable wins.
But two 4-1 defeats illustrated their vulnerabilities.
This Elland Road test would have been a midweek to remember if fans were allowed in. As it stands, the funereal behind-closed-doors atmosphere will make it a low-key occasion.
There's not much to seperate the sides but Leeds' high press will bring back shuddering memories of the Southampton loss last time out.
Mark Douglas' prediction: 7 out of 15 points. A win one, lose one, draw one season continues
