Eddie Howe insists revenge is not on the mind for Newcastle as his side prepare to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle travel to face the Red Devils in a rematch of last season’s final, as the two teams compete for a place in the quarter-finals.
Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled for results this season and suffered an emphatic defeat to Manchester City in the Manchester Derby at the weekend. However, Howe was reluctant to suggest that Newcastle were facing this week’s opponents at a good time.
“I’m probably better off telling you that after the game,” Howe told his pre-match press conference.
“Man Utd are a top team with top players, they will possibly rotate their squad, but I think one of the key tests of any team is how you respond to setbacks. We had one of those against Borussia Dortmund, and had a good response against Wolves.”
Newcastle reached the Carabao Cup final last season, the club’s first major cup final since 1999, but suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Wembley.
On whether the chance to avenge last season’s final loss was a motivating factor for his squad, Howe added: “That’s not our emotion heading into the game. We loved our run last year and are determined to do as well as we can, despite our injuries.”
