It’s a question that on first thought will provide the straight up answer of “Manchester United”. They’re a global powerhouse, have players worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and have the prestige of winning titles.

However, the Red Devils are without a title in almost a decade and if anything, their problems since Sir Alex Ferguson retired have worsened. Newcastle, on the other hand, are coming out the other side.

The regime under Mike Ashley dispirited the club and following the takeover they are looking to find their feet. Naturally, avoiding relegation is the main goal for this season. They’re almost there and currently priced at 1/80 to do so with most major bookmakers. Under Eddie Howe, it would be fair, therefore, to say that this season has been a success.

And on to the summer. When answering the question of who will win the title first, you get the impression that this summer will be crucial. For Manchester United, they’ve got a tall order. Firstly, they need a manager. Erik ten Hag looks like he’s the club’s man, and he must be given money to spend to overhaul what appears to be a rather toxic dressing room. That is no quick fix, and ultimately could take a couple of seasons before he’s got a settled side playing how he wants them to. And even then, is it a winning formula?

Newcastle will undoubtedly have a transfer plan this summer. They signed well in January, and will be looking to add further quality once the season comes to a conclusion. However, it will be baby steps.

Looking back over the takeovers at Chelsea and Manchester City, they started their new regimes by signing players with Premier League experience, before bedding in world-class talent from around the globe. If January’s signings are anything to go by, alongside the appointment of Eddie Howe, then that is the strategy they will be taking.

Following City and Chelsea’s progress, the latter won the league at the end of Abramovich’s second season at the helm, while at Manchester City it took four seasons before they lifted the Premier League trophy. If Newcastle’s owners and fans are expecting the same, that would put a league title for them somewhere between 2023/24 and 2025/26.

Today, of course, is a very different landscape so you would have to say building up to the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, then of course Liverpool, is a much more difficult process. But one that Newcastle and Manchester United do have the potential to overcome, it’s just a matter of when.

While at present, Manchester United undoubtedly have the headstart in terms of squad quality, does off-the-field activity, bad decision making, and a sour dressing room significantly put development back? World-class managers have already tried and failed. For Newcastle, they have a squad that at this point in time is at mid-table level. But they potentially have a key advantage – hungry players and everyone moving in the same direction.

Which is what makes it an interesting question and one that is very difficult to answer indeed.

Ultimately, the answer may come down to money. If you look at Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle, moneya is no object. It’s all about glory, trophies and the kudos that brings to the club and owners. For Manchester United, that’s completely different. While they can splash out on players and pay astronomical wages, the ownership’s end goal is different. It isn’t about the silverware, it’s about the profits.

And that could just sway this argument in the Magpies’ favour.