Your Newcastle United headlines for Saturday, April 1.
ASM could have left in January
Allan Saint-Maximin has opened up about a turbulent January transfer window that also saw him leave Newcastle. Reports had linked the Frenchman with a big-money move to Serie A champions AC Milan.
“I had the opportunity to go to another club in January but the club said they want me to stay and that I’m important,” the 26-year-old told Sky Sports. “When you feel that the club, the manager and every single person in Newcastle wants you then, of course, you want to stay.
READ MORE: £1m director salary, unseen PIF investment and 'squad value' - Inside Newcastle's financial accounts
“But the day I don’t have that feeling for sure I will have no other choice but to go to the place that really wants me. I don’t think about that now. I’m really focused on my goal - which is helping Newcastle try and reach the Champions League.
“After that, I will think about what is best for me and I will have a chat with the club and the manager about what they want and I will have to make a decision for sure. But I really want to see myself and my future here in Newcastle.”
To read more, click here.
Howe downplays Carabao Cup revenge
Eddie Howe admits it is difficult to completely "get over" the Magpies' Carabao Cup final defeat against Sunday's opponents Manchester United.
The Red Devils won 2-0 at Wembley in February as Newcastle's first major final since 1999 ended in disappointment as Man United edged to contest in the capital. Newcastle now face up to Erik ten Hag's again this weekend although Howe insists he does not have revenge on his mind.
Howe said ahead of Sunday's big game: "Am I over it? I don't think you ever get over a defeat, any defeat you have is still in there somewhere.
"I tend not to dwell on it because it's history. You have to move on quickly. There will be occasions where I've flashed back to a moment from the game and it's still there. Hopefully we can get rid of that."
To read more, click here.
Supermac column
This is the beginning of a momentous week for Newcastle United and they must get off to a flying start. Having been idle for a fortnight they now face three absolutely crucial Premier League games in seven days that can make or break their hopes of Champions League football.
Manchester United is the one at home - difficult it is, true - and then Newcastle are away to West Ham on Wednesday night and at Brentford next Saturday. It is either a famine or a feast at the moment!
I'm looking for the Magpies to beat the Red Devils although I think it will be a tight, nervy affair. What am I basing my belief on? The two defences.
United have the very best in the whole of the Premier League having let in just 19 goals in 26 matches. The Red Devils have not. They are vulnerable - they have conceded 35 goals in the same number of games and 27 away in 13 outings. That is an average of two goals an away match.
Their defence looks vulnerable whatever the result and Newcastle must take advantage. They have failed to score in both their matches against Man U this season but significantly this is the first time they have met them at St James' Park.
The 0-0 draw at Old Trafford way back in October was a terrific result and the Magpies dictated the early play in the Wembley cup final until Casemiro's header completely changed the course of things. This Man U side is not as good as it might appear at first glance.
What further encourages me to think that three points can be harvested is that Alexander Isak never started in either fixture and he could be the difference. He is hot at the moment.
To read Malcolm Macdonald's column in full, click here.
Rodgers: Maddison can achieve England dream at Leicester
Brendan Rodgers believes James Maddison can stay at Leicester City to fulfil his England ambitions. Last weekend, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate started the 26-year-old against Ukraine.
Maddison earned just his second England cap, his first coming in a 7-0 win over Montenegro three-and-a-half years ago. The midfielder was on the plane for the winter World Cup but a knee injury meant he did not make an appearance.
Newcastle United failed in two attempts to sign the England star last August. However, the links have refused to go away and, with Maddison only having a year left on his contract come June - the Foxes could be forced to cash in.
Speaking ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace, manager Rodgers was keen to note that his star asset is achieving his England ambitions at the King Power Stadium. The Leicester boss said: “He’s a gifted player whatever club he’s at. He’s shown here that, by playing at Leicester in the Premier League and being as effective as he can, it gives him the opportunity to make the squads.
“That’s where he’s at. Look, his contract, he’s got a year to go. You see him happy here. He’s playing and that’s allowed him to achieve his dream, which was to play for his country. It gives him confidence. Gareth (Southgate) and his staff have shown the confidence to put him into a qualification game, which is great. He’s earned the right for it.”
To read more, click here.
Howe hits back a criticism
Eddie Howe has reiterated that the coverage surrounding the Magpies' game management tactics has been 'overblown' - only for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to highlight those 'delays' once again.
Howe faced the media a few hours before his opposite number made his latest comments, but the Newcastle boss felt the need to stand up for his side as he declared: "First and foremost, we want to be a good football team." So did ten Hag's original words feel like some good old-fashioned mind games?
"Possibly," the Newcastle head coach told reporters. "I can't speak for how they (managers) are preparing their teams and what they are saying in the media. Certainly I think it (game management) has been overblown."
To read more, click here.
READ NEXT
- Eddie Howe stands up for Newcastle as Manchester United try to get into referee Attwell's head
- 'Learn our lessons' - Eddie Howe wants Newcastle United to rectify Carabao Cup loss to Man United
- The true cost of Newcastle United's Covid lockout revealed in new financial figures
- Newcastle United owners react after latest financial figures show £70.7m loss
- Newcastle United financial accounts show £70m loss but provide positivity for the future
