Manchester United's biggest weakness cannot be exposed vs Newcastle again

Eddie Howe played down suggestions Newcastle were looking for revenge for defeat in the Carabao Cup final when Manchester United visited St. James' Park in April.

But it was subsequently revealed, in Amazon Prime's fly-on-the-wall Newcastle documentary, that Howe said 'if they want a quick game… let's f****** give it to them' in the dressing room before that game.

That was a response from Howe to comments made by Ten Hag about Newcastle's timewasting and his players reacted with an intense performance that overwhelmed those in red shirts.

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United were never troubled in the Carabao Cup final, but it was a completely different story when the sides met in the league. Newcastle played like they had a point to prove and could have won by more than two goals.

"I totally agree and that was also my assessment," Ten Hag said when asked if Newcastle wanted it more. "They were more determined, more aggression and more desire, in many situations on the pitch and then you can’t win games.

"I was surprised that we couldn't match the determination and the passion of the opponent. And I think you know before when you travel to St James' Park and Newcastle what will be going on, especially after we won the cup.

"So if you want to win big games you have to be mature and I didn't see that today. No, I don't think [the players] underestimate Newcastle. I think they play above their levels, they were so eager but you could expect that.

"They lose a big game against us and, of course, they are determined to win this game, but you have to match that and be aware of the situation from the start. But we didn’t and