Eddie Howe is targeting another strong run in the Carabao Cup after Newcastle reached the competition’s final last season.
Newcastle finished as runners-up in the Carabao Cup during the 2022/23 campaign, as the Magpies reached a first major cup final in 24 years. Howe’s side take on Manchester United on Wednesday night in their bid to reach the quarter-finals, a rematch of last season’s decider at Wembley.
Asked where the Carabao Cup features in Newcastle’s list of priorities this season, Howe said he wants to do well in each competition.
“It features right at the top because it’s our next game,” Howe said at his pre-match press conference.
“Our intention whenever we make a game plan is to win, no different for this match. Yes we are going to have to utilise our squad, we have games against Arsenal and Dortmund coming up, to not use our squad would be foolish, but that does not mean we do not back our squad to go to Old Trafford and try to win the game.”
On his memories of last year’s final defeat, Howe spoke on his pride at reaching Wembley and said Newcastle ‘want more’ big occasions in the coming seasons.
“More pride than disappointment, but you help but think of the final with the emotions of losing. The spectacle of the final, the supporters, the colours, that will all stand in my memory. It whet the appetite for us, we want this on a more regular basis. The challenge is now, can we?”
