CRAIG HOPE: Eddie Howe shows Newcastle have plenty in reserve with sensational win at Man United… as youngsters Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall prove they can have huge impact
There is a parallel universe where this would be Newcastle United’s strongest XI, Mike Ashley is still owner and Steve Bruce is manager.
Only that team would not win at Old Trafford for the second time in half a century. Eddie Howe has done that, and it owes everything to the system in place and the spirit he has instilled under his leadership.
Not only did his side reach the bone, the evil gods of injuries helped themselves to some marrow within 90 seconds when Matt Targett fell victim to a hamstring strain.
He was, incidentally, one of six full-backs in a line-up that contained no recognized centre-back or striker. The Magpies were without seven senior players and this was without doubt the weakest team in the two years they were managed by Saudi Arabia. At least, on paper.
On grass, Newcastle’s patchwork suffocated Manchester United. They are now three games away from a first domestic trophy in 69 years and, having eliminated both Manchester clubs, are second favorites ahead of Liverpool to win a competition in which they lost last season’s final.
Newcastle were sensational at Old Trafford despite being down to the wire
Tino Livramento showed why he is so highly regarded and kept Alejandro Garnacho quiet
That was against Wednesday night’s opponents, but how has the story changed for the two Uniteds in the intervening eight months. Newcastle were sensational here, Manchester sensationally bad.
It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way when the team chips landed. It seemed as if Newcastle were aware of their intended withdrawal from the competition. There were eight changes, two full-backs at centre-back – who had made just one start in fourteen months – and winger Anthony Gordon was deployed as a striker. Their back five had not started a Premier League or Champions League match all season.
As one supporter noted before kick-off: ‘We’re absolutely getting knocked over.’ However, it was Newcastle who turned things upside down. The understudies took center stage and perhaps some of them will now emerge as leading men.
Mail Sport on the eve of this tie questioned the wisdom of the club in forking out almost £70m for young defenders Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall if they were not to be used after the Carabao Cup.
On Saturday, during a 2-2 draw at Wolves, with Newcastle stretched through injury, they were unused substitutes. That should change now.
Defender Lewis Hall seized his opportunity to show that he is having an impact this season
The victory over Man United owed everything to the system and spirit of Eddie Howe
Both players were excellent and not only showed their potential for tomorrow, but also showed why they can have an impact today. We saw this week how the pair could be England’s starting full-backs at the 2028 Euros. The 2026 World Cup could be a more realistic target on this evidence.
Miguel Almiron scored the opening goal, but if ever an assist was worth as much, it was Livramento’s. By robbing Hannibal deep in his own half, he could have rolled a pass to a teammate. Instead, Livramento showed drive and desire to attack from 60 yards – beating two more men – before slotting Almiron through on goal. The Paraguayan did the rest with a neat finish.
Hall then beat Newcastle’s second with a volley of class and composure after 37 minutes before Joe Willock, making his first start of the season, burst through United’s defense to add a third in the second half. Willock looked as if he had not missed a minute in the past five months, during which he has battled hamstring and Achilles injuries.
Newcastle are now in the last eight, the stage where Howe began fielding stronger teams with Wembley in sight last season. It’s entirely possible that he’s watching this performance and wondering if that’s necessary this time.
