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Newcastle United non-executive chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan jetted in from Saudi Arabia to watch the club’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester United.

Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund that owns 80 per-cent of the Magpies, watched on from the Royal Box at Wembley alongside co-owner Amanda Staveley.

The Magpies lost 2-0 after first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford but rather than reflect on the disappointment, Al-Rumayyan was keen to reflect on the positives.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Newcastle United co owners, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi watch on during the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

In just 18 months under the ownership, United have gone from Premier League relegation to European contenders, and played in a first domestic final in 24 years.

The 54-year wait for a trophy goes on, but in the words of Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben, this is just the start for an ambitious Newcastle.

“He [Yasir] will have been very interested in today as a whole in terms of the atmosphere and experience,” said Howe. “I’m sure he’ll be disappointed to lose, as we all are connected with Newcastle.”

Howe was hugged by Al-Rumayyan and Staveley when collecting his runners-up medal. The 45-year-old continued: “My little embrace with him there when we picked up our medals, he was very positive.”

What Yasir Al-Rumayyan told Eddie Howe after Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final loss