Chris Smalling urges Manchester United to "set the benchmark"

Chris Smalling has encouraged his Manchester United teammates to make the most of the fact that they play before any of their Premier League rivals for the third game running this weekend.

The Red Devils faced both Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in early Premier League kickoffs, both of which ended in 1-0 victories for Louis van Gaal's side.

With Newcastle United next up at Old Trafford on Saturday, centre-back Smalling has insisted that the Red Devils must once again take advantage of playing first.

"We must continue our good start. It is another home game and we have to assert ourselves early on," he told MUTV.

"It is good that we again get to be in the first game that plays and, hopefully, set the benchmark for the weekend."

The visiting Magpies have won at Old Trafford just once since 1972.