Manchester United want what Newcastle Utd already have
manchestereveningnews.co.uk'I will love it if we beat them, love it.' The infamous words of Kevin Keegan as his Newcastle United side battled with, and ultimately lost the Premier League title to, Manchester United in 1996.
It was seen as the crowning Sir Alex Ferguson mind game success as the Reds overhauled a 12-point deficit to sweep past the Magpies and claim the championship.
Fast-forward 27 years and the two teams do battle again tonight at Old Trafford in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. And while it's difficult to see Eddie Howe or Erik ten Hag reaching Keegan-level emotions in any post-match interviews, there is no love lost between the two sides. ALSO READ: Howe doubles down on 'false' claim made by Ten Hag ALSO READ: Three ways United could address Rashford's slump in form Ten Hag has spoken of how Newcastle 'try and annoy you' and 'delay the game' while Howe referenced it in his team talk ahead of his side's win over the Reds in April. "We respect Manchester United but when the game kicks off, we're determined to try and win," was all Howe offered on the Reds ahead of tonight, even if he does feel Ten Hag and some sections of the media have painted an unfair picture of Newcastle's tactics.
So while it might not be the fireworks of the mid-90s, this game will mean a great deal to both managers come kick off on Wednesday night.
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