Honestly my old eyes can pick out the famous arch above Wembley from my position right here on the banks of the Tyne.
Where once it was the famed Twin Towers of North West London which acted as a magnet on cup finals it is now a different skyline but the same throbbing excitement. I was at the old Wembley when United played their one and only League Cup final back in 1976. Now Geordies will surely return in their thousands bedecked in black-and-white with soaring hope beating in their hearts.
I have no wish to tempt fate but I must celebrate what I honestly believe and that is, having won 1-0 at Southampton in the first leg of their semi-final, United will see off the sinning Saints up here next week.
READ MORE: Newcastle show they're not 'nice guys' vs Southampton as Duje Caleta-Car fumes
Why should I not feel like that? United have beaten them twice at their place this season, have never had their standard lowered at home, and are renowned for an unbreakable bond within the squad and an ability to remain firmly grounded.
Make no mistake United thoroughly deserved their 1-0 victory but I must admit that I was concerned for the first 70 minutes of the 90. Why? Not because I ever thought that Southampton would win but because a fatal pattern of late was being repeated - United dominate proceedings, play attractive approach work, but then blow opportunity after opportunity.
United went into the tie having scored only one goal in their last four matches and at 0-0 here with time ebbing away it was more of the same. They wasted three gilt-edged heading chances at Crystal Palace - Callum Wilson, Sven Botman, and Alexander Isak the culprits - and this time another hat-trick of gifts came United's way but were scorned by Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, and Joelinton all of whom were unmarked but blazed so far over the bar I swear the ball ended up in the Channel.
This was getting worrying as Wilson was hauled off having now failed to score in his last nine matches. He never looked what he usually looks - a confident, razor sharp bustler running the channels and getting in behind people. Callum remains a concern. We need him back on blob. It is going to be a big end to the season.
However Isak came on for him just after the hour mark and as against Fulham up here was heavily involved in United's crucial only goal. He was the finisher at SJP, at Southampton he was the maker running Duje Caleta-Car to death to cross low for Big Joe to blast home. The Swede has certainly put the pressure on Wilson for a place from the start.
What a night for Joelinton - he scored a goal wrongly ruled off by the referee and VAR, missed a sitter, and nailed the crucial breakthrough. If Geordie Adam Armstrong felt aggrieved at having what he thought was an equaliser overruled by technology for hand ball then it only levelled up the denial of Joelinton for allegedly exactly the same offence. I thought Joe's was a perfectly good goal though I can stand accused of being biased!
What now? Well United are coming home but unless they lose all the common sense which usually abounds within the team they are already home and hosed.
READ NEXT
Southampton blown away by size of Newcastle as Nathan Jones tells them they have found the best
Anthony Gordon sees Newcastle glimpse, Alexander Isak moment and Southampton taunted - 5 things
Newcastle training ground upgrade is 'getting there' and new benefits may be felt in a few weeks
Find the footballs on the ChronicleLive website to win prizes worth £3,000'
Newcastle star's hidden struggle as Eddie Howe makes exciting 'around the corner' prediction
