Eddie Howe verdict as 'grim' Newcastle United form laid bare after Manchester United win

Newcastle United's 2023-24 season is faltering and truth be told, it's been in the making since December.

On the night Anthony Gordon's goal sealed a 1-0 win over Manchester United at St James' Park, the Magpies sat fifth in the Premier League table, remaining in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

But fast forward to now, and United have plummeted. Two cup exits - likely to become three after Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final away to Manchester City - and now 10th in the league, the last few months haven't at all been fun. At times it has felt grim.

That performance against Man United was one that typified everything good about Eddie Howe's top four Mags last season. What is happening currently is the polar opposite. Newcastle are totally unrecognisable.

Fourteen, it seems, is the (not so) magic number. In the 14 league games that have followed since, the Magpies have fallen five places, picked up just 14 points - including four wins, two draws and eight defeats - to sit 14th in the table during that timeframe. For comparison, Newcastle were sixth after the opening 14 games on 26 points with goal difference of +18.

Indeed, only Crystal Palace, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Brentford and Burnley have performed worse, all of whom are in a relegation battle. On that basis, Newcastle are close to relegation form.

There has, of course, been mitigating factors, namely the staggering amount of injuries, but a lot my recent frustration lies with persisting with the same formation despite not always having the best personnel available.

Scoring goals hasn't been a problem since Man Utd, but 27 for and 34 against (GD-7) - only Sheff United have conceded more - has been Newcastle's Achilles heel, whether that be collectively or individually with Sven Botman perhaps the biggest example in the latter's regard.

It goes without saying that Howe performed miracles last season and his job is under no immediate threat, nor should it be by the way, But the form, as outlined in this article, supports the concerns and questions fans have voiced.

Ten games remain. Complete the impossible job of beating Man City this weekend, which in turn will seal a first FA Cup semi-final since 2005, and plenty will be forgotten.

But away from the cup dream, United remain firmly in the race for European qualification. Champions League football won't be returning next season and the Europa League is unlikely, but even a Europa Conference League spot guarantees a second successive campaign of Europe, a feat not achieved since the 2000s.

Monday night's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea - a team labelled 'average' by Alan Shearer - arguably provoked the fans' most negative reaction to a Howe result to date - but only the Newcastle boss can answer his emerging critics.