Alan Shearer picked Newcastle United over Manchester United and is the pantomime villain whenever the two clubs meet.
Alan Shearer has vowed to “never have a bad word” against Manchester United after they helped Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s men choked on the final day with a 1-0 defeat to Everton at St James’ Park. As soon as Carlos Alcaraz headed home at the Gallowgate End, nerves began jangling around Tyneside as the Magpies dropped out of the top five.
The situation became worse when Morgan Rogers stuck the ball in the net for Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Replays showed Man United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir fumbling the ball but referee Thomas Bramall had already blown his whistle.
He judged Bayindir to have control of the ball but this was not the case and Villa felt as though they had a legitimate goal chalked off. As it happened, Newcastle failed to break the Everton resistance and the Red Devils coasted to a 2-0 win against 10-man Aston Villa.
Champions League returns to St James’ Park
Even a point for Unai Emery’s men would have succumbed the Magpies to Europa League football but, in true Toon fashion, they stumbled over the Champions League finish line. Pandemonium erupted inside St James’ Park once a seat at UEFA’s top table was secured for the second time in three seasons.
Alan Shearer thankful to Manchester United
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Newcastle legend Shearer made a sarcastic pledge to Man United fans. The 54-year-old has often been the butt of Red Devils fans’ taunts when the two sides meet.
“I will never have a bad word said against Manchester United again,” Shearer said. “Who would have thought it? Man United doing the Toon a massive favour.
“I mean they’ve been rotten all season, haven’t they? They deserved to win yesterday. Villa were really poor and lacked so many things. They couldn’t complain in terms of United deserving to win but they could complain against the decision that went against them.”
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Eddie Howe hails Champions League achievement
Howe praised his players for their achievement despite stuttering on the final day. He told the BBC: "It feels great, the achievement is huge. Naturally, when you lose the game there's a feeling of disappointment but I think we have to override that with (the fact that) over the 38 games, we deserved to qualify for the competition. It's a huge moment for the club.
"We can't thank the players enough this year. We've got a great group who give their all in every game and that's all we can ask for. Today, I think we did that. We tried to win the game (against Everton), but it wasn't to be."
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