‘Why not?’ - Eddie Howe makes big Newcastle United and Manchester United claim

Eddie Howe believes there is no reason why Newcastle United can’t become as big as Manchester United in the future.

Although it’s 10 years since the Red Devils last lifted the Premier League title, they are still widely regarded as one of the world’s biggest clubs in terms of global reach.

Newcastle, under their incredibly wealthy owners, have ambitions to reach a similar profile, with Saudi Arabia an obvious area of global growth given the Public Investment Fund’s 80 per-cent stakeholding in the football club.

Can Newcastle be as big as Man United?

“Why not” was Howe’s response, when asked if Newcastle can be as big as Man United.

"I don’t like to put ceilings on individual players and I don’t like to put ceilings on clubs either,” the 44-year-old said.

“Looking at my own history, Bournemouth were associated as a League One, League Two team, primarily League One but we have seen them grow into a Premier League club. So why not?

“The aim of this club and the ambitions behind the scenes are huge. I’ve always said we’ve got to try and deliver those ambitions and that will take. But there’s no ceiling here.

“When you see the passion around the city, the thing that always blows me away is the young people here - the 12, 13, 14 year-olds, their passion for Newcastle. It runs through generations and that won’t stop.

“What will happen, hopefully, is the global brand and the global enthusiasm for Newcastle will grow, if the club can be successful. I am putting more pressure on myself here, but that is the challenge and that is where the club wants to be.

“Who knows what the future will look like in 20 or 30 years."

One point the difference in the Premier League table

On the pitch, just one point separates the two clubs in the Premier League table. Erik ten Hag’s side sit in fifth, just one place higher than Howe’s side.

The pair meet at Old Trafford on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm.

“Erik’s philosophy, I loved watching his team at Ajax,” Howe said. “I think he built the club to a very, very strong position when he left. I’ve got no doubt he’ll do the same at Manchester United.

“Technically, they’re excellent players and very creative. For us, going into this game, we know that is a huge part of their team.

“They’ve got world-class players in every position. We’re under no illusions it’s a very difficult task for us but when you look back to our games against Manchester City and Liverpool, we’ve given a really good display and been unlucky not to take more points from those games. This is in a similar bracket to that type of challenge. Hopefully, we can raise our levels.”