‘I won’t say that’ - Eddie Howe fires back at Newcastle United v Man United suggestion

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he has to be “very careful” with his team selection for Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup clash at Manchester United (kick-off 8:15pm).

The Magpies travel to Old Trafford having felt the full effects of three games in seven days against Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In the last week, United’s injury list has been added to by Alexander Isak (thigh), Jacob Murphy (dislocated shoulder) and Elliot Anderson (back), who all join Sven Botman (knee), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Lewis Miley (illness) on the sidelines.

The significant number of absentees forced Howe to name a weakened bench - featuring two goalkeepers, five defenders and just one Premier League start in 2023-24 - for Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Wolves.

Howe is planning to rotate his fatigued starting XI versus Man United but refused to admit it’s a game his side could do without, despite Arsenal, Dortmund and Bournemouth still to come before the November international break.

“I’d be reluctant to say I’m not looking forward to the game and the game’s not a good one for us,” he told NewcastleWorld. “We’re in a cup competition and we want to try and progress. I won’t say that.

“I think we’ve got to be very careful with the team selection, we’ve got to try and get that right. We’re very, very thin on the ground in certainly areas.”

Howe added: “This is what we want on a regular basis, this is the pinnacle. We’re not moaning about it [the schedule].

“I think the only disappointment for me is we have injuries to attacking players and it’s limited my options to change in running or freshen the players up who are maybe fatigued.

“But every player wants to play football and a lot of lads will get a lot of football in the next few weeks.”