Howe Refuses to Rest on Laurels Ahead of Old Trafford Clash

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is dismissing his side’s recent dominance over Manchester United as they prepare for a high-stakes Boxing Day showdown at the Theatre of Dreams. Despite winning five of their last six meetings against the Red Devils, Howe insists that past successes "count for nothing" once the whistle blows.

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The Magpies boss remains focused on a clinical tactical process rather than historical narratives or the pain of the 2023 League Cup final defeat. He noted that Rúben Amorim’s side has shown significant improvement, particularly praising their resilience in a recent narrow loss to Aston Villa.

The spotlight will shine brightly on record signing Nick Woltemade, who enters the clash in scintillating form after a two-goal masterclass against Chelsea. Howe lauded the striker’s "best performance" to date, highlighting his elite link-up play and clinical instinct inside the box as vital assets for the trip to Manchester.

While Newcastle finished well clear of United last season, they currently trail their hosts by three points in the standings. A win at Old Trafford would not only level the playing field but also re-establish the Magpies as a primary threat in the race for European qualification.