Newcastle United opted against heading south early this week as Eddie Howe did not want his players to "overthink" their Wembley showpiece against Manchester United.
But, despite many seeing Man United's Europa League battle with Barcelona as a disadvantage for Newcastle's prestigious opponents this weekend, Howe feels facing the men from the Nou Camp will benefit Erik ten Hag's side. In the Toon's last visits to Wembley, they headed to their London base a few days early and trained in the south but all of their on-field preparation will take place on Tyneside.
The Magpies will treat the fixture the same way they approach Premier League away games by setting off on the eve of the match. And Howe has explained his logic and why he resisted taking his players away from the intensity of a city that has been talking about Wembley all week.
