Eddie Howe fears Newcastle United’s goalkeeper Nick Pope may need shoulder surgery after suffering what appeared a complicated dislocation while diving in the closing stages of his side’s 1-0 home win against Manchester United.
“It will be a massive blow if Nick is ruled out for any length of time,” said Newcastle’s manager, whose already injury-ravaged side rose to fifth place courtesy of Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute winner against Erik ten Hag’s out-of-sorts team. “It looked innocuous and he’s made those dives thousands of times but those are normally the serious injuries. Nick was in distress. He was in pain. We’ll get a specialist opinion but it doesn’t look good.”
Although the visitors had what they thought was an equaliser from Antony’s deflected shot disallowed for an offside against Harry Maguire, Ten Hag admitted Howe’s were the superior side.
“We have to say the credit goes to Newcastle,” said Manchester United’s manager. “They were better than us, more proactive.”
The Dutchman sidestepped questions about his apparent row with a disappointing Anthony Martial who was withdrawn in the second half. “It’s not about Anthony Martial, it’s about the team, he said. “We try to energise the team and get a reaction and then in your coaching you are a little bit more aggressive. That’s normal.
“If you lose you’re always unhappy and we talk with the team about the reasons why. But this team is resilient. I’m not hoping we get better, I’m sure we will. We have to do better but I’m sure my team will pick this up. I’m sure they have the character to do this. You always want perfect performances but we have recently seen some good performances.”
Ten Hag offered Marcus Rashford individual encouragement following a particularly lacklustre performance, featuring an absence of tracking back. “Marcus is investing a lot, we are supporting him and he will return to his form,” he said. “He works hard, he will get back, he will recover.”
Injury and suspension had already deprived Newcastle of 11 senior players and Howe was suitably delighted. “That’s one of our best performances of the season,” he said. “I thought we were very good on and off the ball.”
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There was special praise for Gordon, who did well against the visiting right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Newcastle’s manager hinted an England call-up should be imminent for his left-winger. “He’s playing at a very, very high level and he’s getting the goals,” he said. “You need those headlines if you are going to force your way into the England squad.
“Anthony has a burning motivation to become the best he can. There is an openness in him, he is inquisitive, he wants to ask questions.”
