Newcastle United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

With 11 away defeats - and one game left to go - it is not hard to know where Newcastle should look if they end this season missing out on European qualification.

Eddie Howe's men were at least the equal of Manchester United at Old Trafford but they found a way not to even get the point that would have secured a top seven slot.

The frustration is they played well. But in moments they didn't.

Be it Alexander Isak's failure to score or Miguel Almiron's failure to make contact at the far post. Or, the failure to play a tight offside line for the home side's opener or close down Amad Diallo properly for their second.

At key times, Newcastle let themselves down.

Now they need either Chelsea in the league or Manchester United in the FA Cup to offer them a route back to Europe.

It is frustrating. But Newcastle only have themselves to blame.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "We had chances to do more, but the way we defended the three goals wasn't good enough - this season compared to last we have conceded goals.

"It's something we have to change longer term."

On Kieran Trippier's position for the opening goal: "Reluctant to focus on one player.

"When you look back through the goals we have conceded today there are multiple errors in all three goals.

"I don't think Man Utd hurt us a great deal but we conceded three goals. We looked good going forward, we did create chances but didn't get enough bodies in the key chances, but we scored two goals and it should be enough to get something from the game.

"You feel momentum is with us and there is a much better feel with us in the second half. Then a second goal from a set-play. It is a combination of errors and we know we have to do better."

On Anthony Gordon's penalty call: "I thought it was a penalty. You have to see it one to three times to see where the contact is. I thought that's what VAR was good at."

On scrapping VAR: "I have always been in an era where the referee makes a decision and I back it.

"I would possibly keep it [VAR] with offsides, but I want more power with referees."

On Europe: "I don't know. In this moment we are disappointed to not win today. It was an opportunity to grab Europe instead of looking around at other results."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought we played alright.

"Defensively away from home we have been poor - we have to fix that.

"We created a lot, but we didn't take our chances. We cannot blame anything else but ourselves.

"But, today wasn't our day."

On a potential ankle injury and penalty call: "Really sore. Not too sure how good my ankle will be.

"I have watched it back and it is a clear penalty. I don't mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch, but I don't understand the point of VAR.

"He [Sofyan Amrabat] goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back.

"I knew straight away, that is why I didn't appeal. I waited for the VAR to check, I told my team-mates 'it was a clear penalty'. I don't understand the point of it, either get rid of it or get better - it's that simple.

"I think I am quite fond of it. Fond of the idea and it should work, but there are too many mistakes."

On his hopes of Euro 2024: "I won't let a sore ankle get in the way of that."

Here are the key facts and figures from Wednesday's game between Manchester United and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

• Manchester United have lost just one of their 29 Premier League home games against Newcastle (W19 D9), while they have scored more goals against the Magpies at Old Trafford than against any other opponent (66).

• Manchester United have conceded 58 Premier League goals this season, their most across a single campaign in the competition. The Red Devils last shipped more in a season in 1978-79 (63).

• At 21 years and 309 days, Amad Diallo is the youngest African player to both score and assist a goal in a Premier League match since Kelechi Iheanacho for Leicester against West Brom in March 2018 (21y 158d).

• Anthony Gordon is only the fourth Newcastle player to score home and away goals against Manchester United in a Premier League campaign, after Andy Cole (1993-94), Demba Ba (2011-12) and Matty Longstaff (2019-20).

• Kobbie Mainoo's goal was the 10th strike to have been scored by a teenager for Manchester United in the Premier League this season (Alejandro Garnacho seven, Mainoo three), making this just the third campaign that this has occurred for the Red Devils in the competition, along with 2004-05 (15) and 2019-20 (11).

Rasmus Hojlund broke his 10-game scoring drought to seal victory for Manchester United in a thrilling Old Trafford encounter with Newcastle.

Anything other than a win for Erik ten Hag's side would have condemned them to their lowest league finish in 34 years.

Instead, they go into the final day needing to better Newcastle's result to claim a place in next season's Uefa Conference League, although they will qualify for the Europa League if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 25 May.

Kobbie Mainoo put the home side in front after 31 minutes when he applied a cool finish from 10 yards after being played onside by Kieran Trippier.

Anthony Gordon levelled four minutes after the restart and Manchester United needed a brilliant tackle from Sofyan Amrabat to stop them from going behind as Alexander Isak failed to finish a three-on-one counter.

Amad Diallo drove home his first Premier League goal just before the hour mark as Newcastle failed to clear a corner to put Manchester United back in front, although Eddie Howe's visitors were inches away from an equaliser as Miguel Almiron just failed to turn home a low cross from the excellent Gordon at the far post.

It was left to Hojlund to settle home nerves, stepping to his right before sending a low finish into the bottom corner for his 15th goal of the season.

However, those nerves still jangled a bit, as Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall fired home from the edge of the box in the second minute of stoppage time but the home side held on.

Newcastle need a final-day win at Brentford to be certain of a top-seven finish for the first time in two decades.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Man Utd fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did the team perform, Newcastle supporters?

Follow all of the post-match reaction here

There are four Premier League teams in action today and we will keep you updated on all of the action from the two games.

Follow all of the team news and build-up

Pete Davey
Fan writer

We asked our Newcastle United fan contributor for their four player of the season choices and you can now vote for your top one.

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Gordon

Gordon has had a sensational full debut season. No-one outside the fanbase expected this transformation, but Newcastle could see this coming from last summer - although even then we did not expect it to be this good. Into double figures for both goals and assists in the league (10 of each), he has been truly special. Lightning quick, he has added serious goals to him game, and against the best teams. His work for the side is infectious and his passion for the club is a great strength of his. Born a blue, but this lad bleeds black and white!

Bruno Guimaraes

What a man he is! The constant in a midfield decimated by injuries, he has kept the team ticking over when it had no right to be. Bruno's passion and competitiveness ensures he never gives up. He can mix it with the best of them and his technical ability to find the most difficult passes in the most difficult situations makes him such a special talent. Manchester City and Paris St-Germain may want him... but he is ours!

Alexander Isak

He is ICE COLD. Isak has had a sensational first full season at Newcastle. Some 24 goals and counting in a season when he has missed a number of games because of injury is really scary if you think about what he would actually be capable of. He is the complete striker - technically perfect, lightning quick and he has developed a resilience to navigate himself past tricky defensive teams. The ice man will only get better!

Fabian Schar

Schar has been nothing short of superb this season - a criminally underrated centre-back in English football has proven his worth. Starting nearly every game, Schar gives his body to the cause and puts it on the line time and time again for the team. He has been Newcastle's best defender by a mile.

Pick your 2023-24 Newcastle player of the season from our shortlist here

Pete Davey can be found at LoadedMag NUFC, external

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Gordon has "got talent people are desperate for" says Neil Dewsnip, Gordon's former manager.

Dewsnip signed Gordon as an 11-year-old when he was head coach of Everton's academy and later went on to manage him when he was in charge of England Under-18s.

Speaking to BBC Sport about Gordon's potential Dewsnip said: "The next three or four years could be very exciting for Anthony."

"He was my last signing at Everton. He was a boy we looked at a few times, as did Liverpool. He was a little bit of a late developer, physically immature."

After leaving Everton's academy, Dewnsip reunited with Gordon with England and was part of the under 18 team that won the Limoges Tournament in 2018.

"That team had Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood, James Garner, Curtis Jones and Florin Balogun - he was part of a group that was full of exciting attacking talent," he added.

Dewsnip spoke about the bond he had with Gordon and how they'd chat whilst having coffee and he says Gareth Southgate is now the perfect man to impress ahead of the Euros this summer:

He added: "Gareth and Steve (Holland, assistant manager) are very meticulous in their preparation. They will have watched all the top talent and left no stone unturned. The aim is to win the Euros. If Anthony is in that group, he’ll have earned the right.”

You can read the full interview here

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For Wednesday's game between Manchester United and Newcastle United, which was postponed from week 34 because of the FA Cup semi-finals, he takes on singer-songwriter and Arsenal fan Sam Tompkins.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

We have started to feel sorry for Manchester United, haven't we? Saying things like 'they put up a good fight' in their defeat by Arsenal, or talking about how they pushed them and made it edgy.

I agree they did all of the above, but surely with Manchester United you want to see a bit more quality in their performance as well? At the moment, they are showing about as much quality as the roof at Old Trafford did during the downpour after Sunday's game.

It's hard to see anything different from them this time so, with apologies to Manchester United's fans, I am going to back their team to lose again.

I might have been wrong with the exact scoreline in the Gunners game, but Arsenal were always going to win - more than 57,000 of you voted on the outcome on my predictions page last week and 74% of you agreed with me. I don't think anyone was surprised by the result.

I thought Newcastle United would beat Brighton on Saturday, but they missed Callum Wilson, who was ill. He could be back for this game, though, and would give them the cutting edge they were missing against the Seagulls.

Tompkins' prediction: 2-1

Here are the key facts and figures before Wednesday's game between Manchester United and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

• Manchester United have lost just one of their 28 Premier League home games against Newcastle (W18 D9), going down 1-0 in December 2013 under David Moyes.

• Newcastle have won each of their past three meetings with Manchester United in all competitions, as many as in their previous 21 beforehand (D4 L14). The English team that most recently won four in a row against the Red Devils were Manchester City between 2013 and 2014.

• Manchester United have only lost their final home league game in one of the past 16 seasons (W11 D4), going down 2-0 against Cardiff in 2018-19.

• Having only won one of their first 10 away league games this season (D2 L7), Newcastle have since won four of their past seven on the road (L3). The Magpies are looking to win back-to-back away league games for just a second time in 2023-24 (also in January/February).

• Manchester United have lost nine matches at Old Trafford in all competitions this season; they have never suffered 10 home defeats in a single season before in their history.

• Newcastle's Eddie Howe has managed 14 away Premier League games against the division's two Manchester clubs without winning any (D2 L12). In the competition's history, only Steve Bruce (26) has managed more away games in Manchester without ever winning than Howe.

• Manchester United have lost both of their last two Premier League games, with Bruno Fernandes absent for both. Since he made his debut in the competition, the Red Devils have won 40% of their league games and averaged 1.3 points per game when he has not started, compared to a 53% win rate and 1.8 points per game when he has been in their starting XI.

• 60% of Sean Longstaff's Premier League goals have been scored this season (six of 10), while he has scored in back-to-back appearances in the competition for the first time. Newcastle have never lost a Premier League match in which Longstaff has scored (P9 W6 D3 L0).

Arsenal and Manchester City have made contact with Newcastle United and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 26, over a potential summer move. (Caught Offside), external

Manchester United are trying to hijack Newcastle United's move for Fulham's English defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 26. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Matty Renton
Fan writer

The battle of the Uniteds for European qualification takes place this week as the season comes to a close.

Newcastle United missed a golden opportunity in their final home game of the season to stake a huge claim for sixth place. A draw against Brighton still leaves them sixth in the table after Manchester United lost at home to Arsenal, however it may be Chelsea that we should be worried about. A resurgent run of form under Mauricio Pochettino sees them hot on the heels in the top-six race.

Out of the three sides vying for Europa League football though, you’d want to be in the Toon Army's shoes. It’s all in their hands - do their own job, win their own games and they don’t have to focus or worry about anyone else. Easier said than done of course.

The Magpies have struggled on the road this season, winning only five games. Some 70% of Newcastle's points won this campaign have been at home, losing only three times at St. James’ Park. It's not ideal then that the last two games are at Old Trafford and a trip to Brentford.

As always though they’ll be backed by a sold out Geordie support cheering them on to hopefully more European adventures. Champions League trips for the first time in over two decades were a real treat this season but any form of European qualification will be deemed a success in my eyes.

After a turbulent year of injuries and suspensions, to even be in with a shout of top six is remarkable and all praise must go to Eddie Howe and his players. Two huge games remain to get the job done. I’m confident, and I’ve got my passport at the ready. Howay the lads!

Matty Renton can be found at The Magpie Channel TV, external

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United have announced they will be travelling to Japan to play two friendlies over the summer.

The Magpies will fly to Tokyo and will play Uwara Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium on Wednesday 31st July before facing Yokohama F.Marinos at the Japan National Stadium on Saturday 3rd August.

Speaking to the club's official website Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: "We are pleased to be visiting Japan this summer. It's an amazing country and it will be a unique experience for our players, staff and supporters.

"We will be taking on two strong teams at two special stadiums, and I'm sure they will present the type of physical tests we need at that time as we build towards next season."

Image source, Getty Images

It has been an injury-plagued season for Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, but he says everyone has "just got on with it" and "stepped up" in the absence of key players.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope has been out since December with a shoulder injury. Midfielder Joelinton and striker Callum Wilson have also been missing for extended periods.

Captain Jamaal Lascelles and fellow centre-back Sven Botman are also ruled out long-term after suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

This is on top of the general knocks and illnesses within the team.

"We have been challenged," said Howe before he takes his side to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Wednesday. "But they have just got on with it and done their best.

"We will now try to do our best to finish as high as possible."

The Magpies' European qualification hopes were boosted by the return of Joelinton and Miguel Almiron against Brighton at the weekend, but Howe is cautious of not rushing them back too soon.

"It is nice to have those options," he added. "But I need to look at them individually. I cannot lump them together because they have both had different injuries.

"It is really good to be in the position to make attacking changes with those who have undoubted qualities.

"But we are still limited on numbers so anyone who is fit is basically on the bench."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Manchester United (20:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from the Newcastle United boss:

• Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have not been in training, so they will be assessed on Tuesday should they return. On Isak, Howe said: "He wasn’t feeling 100% and we knew on Friday that he was slightly under the weather."

• On whether Joelinton, who returned from injury against Brighton, will play a key role: "His was a serious injury and required an operation, so I need to ensure he is the Joelinton we know and not someone who is trying to find his rhythm with two games to go. That would be foolish of me."

• He said Wednesday's game against Manchester United "is massive for both clubs", but added that his side are "desperate" to qualify for Europe.

• Qualification "in whatever form is a driving force" for them now because they "need to be there as a football club".

• On the Magpies' and Manchester United's injury woes this season: "It is at the end of a long season for both clubs, but we back all of our squad. We have had injuries all season but the players have stood up."

• He said "the mix of quality on the bench is better" now that players are returning from injury, but they remain "limited on numbers".

• On Manchester United and what he expects from the game: "It will be tough - when you look at their record at home, they have been competitive. You never underestimate the challenge of going to Old Trafford."

• Despite already beating Erik ten Hag's side 3-0 away from home in the Carabao Cup this season, "it is a new challenge" and they cannot rely on the outcome of that game.

Follow Tuesday's other Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League title now cannot be decided until the final day of the season but one or two other issues could be settled in midweek.

Aston Villa can clinch the fourth and final Champions League place if they beat Liverpool on Monday.

If they draw, they’ll be sure of fourth place if Tottenham fail to win against Manchester City on Tuesday.

If they lose, they’ll be sure of fourth place if Tottenham lose on Tuesday.

In all other scenarios, it goes to the final day.

Whatever their situation with Villa, Tottenham can ensure a top-five finish (so Europa League at worst) if they avoid defeat against Man City on Tuesday.

If they lose to City, Spurs could still clinch fifth place before their final game if Newcastle AND Chelsea both fail to win on Wednesday.

Newcastle and Chelsea know that whatever they do on Wednesday, they cannot be absolutely sure of European football until the final round of fixtures. However, goal difference means that should Newcastle beat Man Utd, and Chelsea lose at Brighton, it would take a minimum 12-goal swing on the final day for the Magpies to be deprived of sixth place.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

Graham asked: Who should Eddie Howe sell to get funds for Newcastle in the summer? I think Trippier, Wilson, Longstaff and Almiron should go.

Phil answered: Tough decisions ahead in this regard, Graham, but they must build a wall around Anthony Gordon and Aleksandar Isak. Same with Bruno Guimaraes, unless they get that £100m offer towards the end of June that would activate a release clause.

As for who to sell, I think Callum Wilson is an obvious contender given his age and injury record, while Miguel Almiron could be considered if a decent offer comes in.

Newcastle do have to bring money in so that might make Sean Longstaff vulnerable, especially with Sandro Tonali coming back from his suspension.

I would hesitate to sell Kieran Trippier purely because of his versatility and leadership qualities – but money does talk.

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle and Brighton.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

John: It seems that Newcastle are unable to play well for 90 minutes. It's either a good first half and a bad second half or the other way round. Too many look like they've run out of steam. At least some bodies are starting to reappear but they're short of match fitness.

Joe: I hope Almiron has played his last game for NUFC - why you'd dive in that situation is beyond me. Could cost us Europe.

Richard: One of those games where you know you ought to have won it but the ball just wouldn't go in the back of the net. I'm not sure I'd even say we were slow or off the pace - it was just not going to happen. I can't fault the effort of the team as they tried but Brighton just held firm, alas. You'll get games like this and at least Europe is still possible.

Brighton fans

Rosie: Shame to see our extremely faint European hopes completely disappear, but at least we can take comfort in knowing that we have ended the season with some sort of pride.

Noddy: If we had a fully-fit squad we would have been top four easily. Both teams suffered injuries and both coped well. Was a game there for the taking by either team. Ref even had a good game. Both pen shouts were both dives and rightly yellowed. Enciso could and should have finished the game first half with the chances he had. Improvement all round.

Bob: A good result, played with a bit more nous. Scrappy but still had our chances. Newcastle struggled to break down our defence and a point was a fair result.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea