Eddie Howe honest as ever as he reflects on Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 | OneFootball

The final week of the season for Eddie Howe and his players.

Two away games to end the season and decide whether Newcastle United end up sixth, seventh, or eighth in the Premier League.

Brentford on Sunday but first of all Manchester United.

A very open game at Old Trafford.

Where Newcastle United were clearly the better team, with more possession and more (and better quality) scoring opportunities. Only to see some poor finishing and moments of bad defending sink them.

Eddie Howe reflecting on Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2:

“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.”

Eddie Howe 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.”

Eddie Howe on whether or not to get rid of VAR:

“I have always been in an era where the referee makes a decision and I back it.

“I would possibly keep VAR with offsides but I want more power with referees.”

Eddie Howe asked about Kieran Trippier’s playing Mainoo onside for the opening goal:

“Reluctant to focus on one player.

“When you look back through the goals we have conceded, 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 [for Man U] from a set-play.

“It is a combination of errors and we know we have to do better.”

Eddie Howe on qualifying for 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.”

Stats via BBC Sport:

Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Wednesday 15 May 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 49, Hall 90+2

Mainoo 31, Amad 57, Hojlund 84

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Man U 45% Newcastle 55%

Total shots were Man U 17 Newcastle 21

Shots on target were Man U 8 Newcastle 8

Corners were Man U 9 Newcastle 9

Referee: Robert Jones

Newcastle United team:

Dubravka, Trippier (Schar 63), Krafth, Burn, Hall, Longstaff (Barnes 77), Bruno, Anderson (Joelinton 62), J Murphy (Almiron 62), Gordon, Isak

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, Ritchie, White, A Murphy

(Match Report – Please don’t gift any goals and please, no refereeing or VAR shockers – That’s all I ask… Read HERE)

(Why didn’t Sky Sports have Sir Alex Ferguson as well… or was he on VAR duty? Read HERE)

(Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Shocking VAR decision denies NUFC – Read HERE)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)