Stuart Pearce's Optimism Ahead of Newcastle United's Match Against Manchester United

Jimmy Scoular, a former Newcastle United defender, has tipped Eddie Howe to break the club's 68-year domestic trophy curse. Scoular was the last Toon player to lift a cup at Wembley after inspiring the Magpies to a 3-1 win over Manchester City in 1955. Geordies are desperate for a trophy, and another Manchester club, United, stands in their way of ending the barren spell. The two Premier League sides are competing for a Champions League spot and, like Newcastle, the Red Devils are also suffering a trophy drought.

Pearce backs Newcastle to win clash

No major honour since 2017 is rookie numbers compared to the Magpies’ wait, but still adds an added dynamic to the clash. Speaking to talkSPORT, ex-England left-back Pearce - who had a two-year spell on Tyneside in the late 90s - backed his former club to come good. “I’ve got a sneaky suspicion Newcastle will win it,” he said. “They are four or five years ahead of schedule. Last year people were saying the money was coming in and they could be threatening the (Premier League) top six.”

"Eddie Howe praised for brilliant job"

Pearce went on to praise Howe's signings, saying “Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope and Dan Burn have been magnificent for them, I’ve got to say. Howe has turned Miguel Almiron and Joelinton around. Eddie has done a brilliant job. The atmosphere there at the moment is just incredible. The club is absolutely flying and credit to them.”