Dan Burn of Newcastle United celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park on March 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Dan Burn of Newcastle United celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park on March 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dan Burn makes Sunderland claim that will divide opinion among Newcastle United supporters.
Sunderland spent eight years outside of England’s top-flight, dropping as low as League One before being promoted out of the Championship last May after beating Sheffield United 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley.
Regarded as early favourites to be relegated, the Black Cats have somewhat defied the odds by all but securing their Premier League status having already accumulated 40 points. Eight matches remain, the next of which is at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Dan Burn makes divisive Sunderland claim - Newcastle United fans torn
Newcastle fans have been torn on whether Sunderland’s return is a good or a bad thing, but Burn believes it is a latter. He also endorsed a potential return for Middlesbrough, who currently sit in the Championship automatic promotion spots.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Blyth-born centre-back said: “I’m happy they’re back in the league because I feel like that’s been missing the last few years. I’ll be careful here... but I missed it and I was genuinely happy when Sunderland came up but a whole generation has missed out on the derbies and how excited people get.
“Middlesbrough as well, I’d be more than happy for them to come up just for the North East in general. I want them to do well but not too well, I don’t want them to be better than us.
“I’ve been very lucky that I’ve managed to tick off a lot of things that I’ve wanted to do at Newcastle, and I feel like a league home game against Sunderland is one of the final few maybe that I’ll be able to do, so we’re looking forward to it.
“The crowd and the atmosphere, even the away game was unreal. What you imagined and dreamt of going to a Sunderland away game, that was it, it was hostile, you were getting booed. That’s what you want and dream out as a kid going to those sort of games.
“I’m pretty sure it’ll be the same for Sunderland coming to Newcastle.”
Newcastle United out for revenge against Sunderland
Eddie Howe’s side are out for revenge, having lost the reverse fixture 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in December. The result was compounded by Burn going off injured with a punctured lung and broken rib in the first-half.
“Really frustrated,” Burn said. “It was the type of injury I’ve not really had before, so it was the unknown for me. I’d waited that long for a league derby, so to not even make half-time was disappointing.
“For us as a team, it was disappointing. We prepared for it and were well up for it but we just didn’t seem to perform for it on the day, so I feel like that Sunderland game has been marked.
“The lads were disappointed in how we performed and we want a reaction to that. At the minute, Sunderland have got the bragging rights and you don’t want that. You would never want them to beat us twice in a season, so it’ll be a game we’re well prepared for and looking to win.”
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