The Newcastle United and Manchester United story – After Mike Ashley | OneFootball

Newcastle United and Manchester United since Mike Ashley handed over the keys.

That is our record against Man U since CAshley was jettisoned 39 months ago.

Eight games played between the two clubs since 7 October 2021.

Newcastle United up against Manchester United:

27/12/21 – Newcastle United 1 Man U 1

16/10/22 – Man U 0 Newcastle United 0

26/02/23 – Man U 2 Newcastle United 0

02/04/23 – Newcastle United 2 Man U 0

01/11/23 – Man U 0 Newcastle United 3

02/12/23 – Newcastle United 1 Man U 0

15/05/24 – Man U 3 Newcastle United 2

30/12/24 – Man U 0 Newcastle United 2

Within that set of results was three consecutive wins, a feat not achieved against this lot since 1922.

We also finished above the side from Trafford (one of the ten boroughs of the Greater Manchester conurbation) last season, for the first time since 1977.

Monday night’s win was of course, quite wonderful.

That first half hour was as good as I’ve seen from a Newcastle United side in an away match.

If anyone thinks they can recall a better performance, drop something in the comments (first half against Inter Milan back in 2003 perhaps)?

Here’s the thing though.

Of those eight matches, which is the one that really mattered?

I’ll tell you. It wasn’t that fixture down at Old Trafford on Monday. It wasn’t any of those splendid victories we’ve posted here at St James either.

It was the League Cup Final, played at Wembley in February 2023.

A game at a venue where Newcastle United didn’t turn up (again) and were screwed over by that insufferable, entitled bunch.

How I wish Man United were still involved in this season’s League Cup. Given we’re ‘only’ at the semi final stage of the competition, that’s wishful thinking on my part – thre’d be no danger of them qualifying for the final even if they had edged past Spurs in the last round.

An admission.

My real name isn’t Matt.

My non de plume refers to Joe Harvey putting Matt Busby right about something or other (as he might have done with Bertie Mee also). Despite the heroics of Monday evening, I still feel we have unfinished business with the Mancs. That time will come, of that I’m sure.

Meantime, Newcastle United under Eddie Howe stands on the precipice of achieving something that none of those who have followed the legendary Joe Harvey have managed to do. Lift a trophy.

We have two games in North London in quick succession.

I believe it’s the one at the Emirates in six days time that matters most.

Of course, winning at Tottenham beforehand will be a nice little tonic but it’s Arsenal who we dare not lose to. Achieve that and I’m confident we’ll make it back to Wembley, where our opponent will give us a very difficult game, no matter whether it’s Liverpool or Spurs.