Why Carrick chose West Ham over Newcastlepublished at 13:26 GMT
13:26 GMT
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Michael Carrick's love of the game was quickly apparent when he was profiled on the BBC's Saturday morning children's television show Live & Kicking in 1995.
Seated in front of the camera in a Newcastle shirt and surrounded by posters of his idols, including Peter Beardsley, viewers might have felt he was destined to one day represent his boyhood club.
Newcastle had even attempted to pull out one or two stops to convince Carrick to join.
Beardsley presented Carrick with a cake on his 13th birthday at St James' Park while the youngster was invited to play in the prestigious Milk Cup youth tournament a year early.
However, that trip to Northern Ireland left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons after a few of the players 'borrowed' a Mini and drove it around a car park.
Carrick ultimately felt more comfortable at West Ham - a long way from home - after spending time touring a host of suitors across the country.
Although local talents like Lee Clark, Steve Howey, Steve Watson and Robbie Elliott had made the breakthrough into Newcastle's first-team squad, at the time the club did not even have a reserve side.
By contrast, at West Ham, there was a clear pathway - and Carrick never looked back.
This future England international went on to play for the Hammers and Tottenham Hotspur before joining Manchester United, where he won 18 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Where would you play Woltemade?published at 11:32 GMT
11:32 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on where you would be playing Nick Woltemade to get the best out of him/ Or do you think the team works better without him?
Here are some of your comments:
Jill: Woltemade played better from midfield than up front. When he plays up front it is like playing with 10 men as he contributes so little he may as well not be on the pitch. I was happy for him that trying him in midfield did make for a greater contribution from him. He was good at nicking the ball off the opposition and putting in a well-placed pass on occasion. But to be honest, I think the team is stronger without him I'm sad to say. He is very slow and lumbering with no speed over the first few yards. He does have some nifty footwork but he doesn't get on the ball often enough. What we desperately need right now is a goal scorer and unfortunately he isn't it.
Darren: Best wishes to him as he seems like a nice guy but sell him while he still has value. He was bought as a nine but plays as a 10 and can't make the distance on a break. He's been found out. I'd like to think he could work with an out-and-out striker, but he don't have one. Wissa is done.
Drew: Woltemade in midfield just shows how much Eddie is panicking. He is throwing all sorts of weird and daft ideas around to try and make something stick....the lad clearly needs to be up front. Anyone blaming Woltemade for the mismanagement of the team at the minute needs to give their head a shake.
Richard: If you think that you can just tell a player to change his position and it'll somehow just work immediately then you don't get elite sport at Premier League level. Nick Woltemade will develop a role where his skills are maximised and Eddie Howe is just the coach to do it. OK, it probably won't be this season but he will come good. His position will be developed with the rest of the squad because you don't play on your own. I'd guess it'll be in the pocket behind a striker but ahead of midfield. He's a raw talent and he will be developing fast under Eddie and his team.
Phil: He looked like a striker when he signed, and plays there for Germany. I think maybe rest him and give him some training time and put him back up front and help rebuild his confidence.
Raymond: It's not his fault it's the people at Newcastle who sealed the deal. His agent must be laughing all he way to the bank. I've been watching Newcastle since 1963 and have seen some great players with hearts of a lion. They have wasted the money on three offensive players. So sad for the supporters.
Dale: Woltemade is a clear number 10, he's got a quality first touch and he needs time to get used too the Premier League and I am happy to give him that time.
Jim: The team are better without him. Unfortunately he got to Newcastle late in the transfer window and he he did not get the chance to do the pre-season training with the team. It makes a huge difference to the way they work together and understand each others game. The same as Wissa.
Newcastle United v Manchester United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:09 GMT
09:09 GMT
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United may have progressed into the knockout stages in Europe but their league form has fallen off a cliff as they prepare for Wednesday night's (20:15 GMT) clash with a Manchester United side who are unbeaten in 11 top-flight games.
The Magpies have lost five of their last six in the Premier League, including each of their last three at St James' Park – the first time that's happened since February 2021 under Steve Bruce.
Magpies flapping
Over the last six games, Newcastle are second-bottom of the form table, earning fewer points than the three clubs in the relegation zone. Only crisis-hit Tottenham Hotspur have fared worse in that timeframe.
It's a dip that's seen them drop from ninth to 13th in the table ahead of a busy March schedule that includes an FA Cup fifth round meeting with Manchester City and both legs of the Champions League last 16 tie with La Liga frontrunners Barcelona.
Head coach Eddie Howe has struggled to find the right balance in attack in recent weeks, with club record signing Nick Woltemade playing in a deeper role and Anthony Gordon struggling to replicate his excellent European form on the domestic front.
Last week's 3-2 defeat by Everton was the second game in a row in which Woltemade failed to register a touch in the opposition box, sparking a debate about how best to use the 6ft 5in Germany international forward.
One crumb of comfort for the Toon Army is their side's recent record in this exact fixture. Newcastle have come out on top in their last three home league games against the Red Devils, as many as they won in their previous 18.
Carrick back at his boyhood club
Michael Carrick may have grown up supporting Newcastle United, but his colours are now firmly nailed to the mast at Old Trafford.
Sunday's win over Crystal Palace means the Manchester United head coach is unbeaten in nine Premier League games across two spells, equalling the best start by a boss in the competition's history.
Ange Postecoglou's reign at Spurs began with 26 points from 10 games, which Carrick could match with victory in the North East on Wednesday.
Six wins from seven since taking charge again in January have lifted the Reds to third in the table at the end of a matchweek for the first time since May 2023 and Champions League football looks a realistic prospect once again.
Benajmin Sesko's contributions off the bench earned him a start against Palace and he duly rewarded Carrick with a fine header to win the game. Seven goals in his last eight appearances mean no Premier League player has scored more in domestic competitions since the turn of the year.
It was Bruno Fernandes who provided the cross for Sesko's winner against the Eagles; the Portuguese playmaker's 13th league assist of the season. The United captain is closing in on David Beckham's club record of 15 assists in the 1999-00 league season.
That comeback victory over Palace means the Red Devils have recovered nine points from losing positions in 2026, more than any other side. They have only lost one of the last eight league matches in which they have fallen behind (won three, drawn four), having lost 10 of their previous 13 when trailing (drawing three).
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Man Utdpublished at 08:10 GMT
08:10 GMT
Newcastle United's inconsistency struck again in Saturday's home defeat by Everton, and who knows which team will turn up here.
Manchester United were not great against Crystal Palace either, when they needed a penalty and Maxence Lacroix's red card to really change the game, but they still found a way to win it.
Benjamin Sesko suddenly looks like a handful for Michael Carrick's side - he is big and physical and scored a brilliant header against Palace - so Newcastle will have to deal with him.
It is hard to call this one but there have been so many great games between these two sides down the years, and this could be another classic.
What position brings the best out of Woltemade?published at 18:10 GMT 3 March
18:10 GMT 3 March
Media caption,
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says Nick Woltemade looked "bereft of confidence and belief" during Saturday's defeat against Everton - which is "understandable", given that the German is not consistently playing in one position at the moment in Eddie Howe's side.
"Where do you play him?" Anderson added. "He is not an out-and-out nine and I'm not too sure he is a 10 either. He has played that left side of midfield as well.
"There is one or two dilemmas for the manager - and it's not like he has too much time to get players on the training ground and work at it."
If you were in Howe's shoes, where would you be playing Woltemade to get the best out of him? Or do you think the team works better without him?
'Perhaps it's time to refresh everything'published at 15:05 GMT 3 March
15:05 GMT 3 March
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The world as we know it seems split down the middle. Howe in or Howe out?
Unfortunately, the delineation between the two seems to have taken on the names "happy clappers" or "bedwetters". Neither moniker is particularly appetising to me, on account of my being a grown adult.
Once again, Newcastle lost in the league this weekend. Once again, Newcastle failed to keep a clean sheet. The run of form we're on hasn't been this bad since 2021 under Steve Bruce. A horrible fact to have to contemplate, but a fact nonetheless. It does not dampen one's bed to acknowledge that.
The season from a league perspective is largely finished, I think. I've been happily clapping my team but my hands are sore and we keep losing games. We may yet make something of the FA Cup, though we have to beat Manchester City this weekend to do so.
Still, we've done that once at home this season, so it's not impossible. If we do, I assume we'll somehow draw the Spanish national team in the next round.
We also remain in the Champions League. But the fatigue and the injuries and the lack of creativity on the pitch points to a bigger problem.
Can Eddie Howe solve it? It might be bigger than him now. I've had a lot of faith in him - he has earned it - but perhaps it's time to refresh everything.
I'd like to see it work, and maybe it still can, but it feels like the chance is slipping away.
I think I can eke out another week on the fence, and let the performances on the pitch speak to me. Fingers crossed.
Howe backs summer signings as he prepares to face Seskopublished at 11:59 GMT 3 March
11:59 GMT 3 March
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
This is uncharted territory for Eddie Howe.
Even when Newcastle United were battling relegation in the head coach's early days at the club, in 2021, they did not lose three Premier League games in a row at St James' Park.
"When you get a blip like we've had, it feels abnormal," he said before Wednesday's visit of Manchester United.
"It feels unusual. It doesn't feel good. It's hurting us. We pride ourselves on trying to give our supporters what they want and we haven't been able to."
Keeping goals out has been the issue for leaky Newcastle of late.
But this side are still adapting to life after Alexander Isak following the striker's £125m departure to Liverpool last summer.
Benjamin Sesko was among those centre-forwards Howe targeted, only for the Slovenian to ultimately plump for a move to Manchester United.
Following a slow start to his career at Old Trafford, Sesko has since scored six Premier League goals in 2026.
Howe won't need any reminding about the threat Sesko carries, or the danger of Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha for that matter.
"Manchester United have recruited very well," he said. "The players you have mentioned are outstanding players - players we were aware of in the summer - so well done to them.
"I'm really happy with the new players we have got. Of course, they're all on different journeys to reach their best level. I believe they will get there."
Defender Malick Thiaw has certainly got there, while Jacob Ramsey has also impressed in Newcastle's midfield in recent weeks.
But winger Anthony Elanga is still finding his feet, Nick Woltemade - following a lethal start - has mainly been used as a midfielder of late and fellow forward Yoane Wissa has only scored three goals since joining from Brentford.
"Of course, there are question marks and people will have different opinions," Howe added.
"But a case in point will be Jacob Ramsey - just give players a bit of time to prove their worth and settle into what we ask them to do."
Howe on illness in the squad, Woltemade form and 'a head scratcher'published at 11:22 GMT 3 March
11:22 GMT 3 March
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Manchester United at St James' Park (kick-off 20:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jacob Ramsey has recovered after being ill but Nick Woltemade is absent with a similar issue. "There's an illness in the squad. Nick has gone down ill and we haven't seen him for a couple of days," said Howe, adding: "We'll give him every chance [of recovering for tomorrow]."
Howe said Ramsey is "getting better and better" and added: "He's got a bit of everything. It's been good for him to score important goals for us. It will have done his confidence levels the world of good. He now feels fully at home."
Howe said full-back Tino Livramento is "getting closer and closer" to returning from injury. He says he is constantly asked about it in interviews, but added: "I do the same to the medical team - it's like a chain that goes down."
Asked about the Magpies seeming to do better against bigger teams and struggle in games they would be expected to win, he said: "It's a bit of a head scratcher for us." He added: "It's the psychology of sport and human beings. We have struggled in that respect."
On their patchy home form, he said: "When you get a blip like this it feels abnormal. It's hurting us. We pride ourselves on trying to give our supporters what they want and we've not been able to do that in recent games."
He said he feels "frustration" at "uncharacteristically performing in a way that's cost us points". "We feel we're a good team and we've made progress but then we step back from a point where you feel we're moving forward," he added.
On facing Manchester United, Manchester City in the FA Cup and then Barcelona in the Champions League in the space of a week, Howe said: "If you said four years ago this would be your run of games, you'd have bitten whatever off to be in this position."
Asked whether it is impossible for a team outside the 'big six' to juggle the Champions League and domestic football well, he said: "I don't like the word impossible regarding what we can achieve because it gives everyone a way out and an excuse. It's difficult. Our schedule this season makes the one two years ago look easy. It puts a real stretch on our players, resources, energy levels and peak physical condition. There is no doubt players have gone into games tired and fatigued."
On Woltemade's form: "It's funny how one performance or bad game can bring a cloud around a player. His performances, if you look at them with a holistic view point, have been excellent in recent games." Howe added while the goals have dried up, Woltemade's "all-round game is better than it was".
Newcastle are 'underwhelming' but is Woltemade a problem?published at 08:51 GMT 3 March
08:51 GMT 3 March
Media caption,
Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade has struggled to find form in recent months, scoring just once in his past 19 appearances, and it has led to a lot of criticism of the summer signing by fans and media pundits.
BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club's panel of former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha and Observer football correspondent Rory Smith discussed how how proportionate the blame is on Woltemade in a disappointing league campaign for the Magpies so far.
"When I saw him in Germany, everyone was talking about how he's not a traditional number nine because he's massive but not great in the air," said Onuoha. "But then his first goal for Newcastle was a header and that was probably the worst thing that could happen to him because everyone saw him as a big target man - which is really not his game.
"Technically, he is good and he doesn't stand out that much [negatively] compared to the rest of the team, or even in the league.
"Their season has been underwhelming but they are on 36 points, so it is not impossible that they could finish in seventh or eighth still. Having said that, they need to go on a great run."
Smith added: "With strikers it is easier [to criticise] if the person who is meant to be scoring goals isn't.
"But if Eddie Howe has moved him into midfield then that is an admission it is not working."
Gossip: Man Utd keen on Guimaraespublished at 06:52 GMT 3 March
06:52 GMT 3 March
Manchester United want Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes to replace midfielder Casemiro - with the 34-year-old endorsing his Brazil team-mate. (AS), external
Magpies must now make cups a focuspublished at 11:29 GMT 2 March
11:29 GMT 2 March
Image source, Getty Images
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards discusses Newcastle United on BBC Radio 5 Live's latest Football Daily podcast: "The words Eddie Howe used - we're imploding. They keep finding new ways to do it as well. I don't think they are playing terribly - not well - but not terribly.
"The manner in which they lost to Everton is painful. They fall a goal behind to a corner. They then get a goal and the place erupts. Getting the fans behind the team is integral. And then Nick Pope - not for the first time this season - I don't know what he's doing. That's two minutes after the equaliser and sucks all the energy out of the stadium.
"They get to 2-2 and the stadium erupts again. Then 73 seconds later Anthony Gordon gives the ball away and it's 3-2. Gordon got booed off. The emotions were so high, there was so much anger.
"We're getting to the point now where Newcastle have to prioritise the FA Cup and Champions League. Certainly, I think getting into the top six has gone for them.
"They can't defend and have a keeper in Pope I've no idea what has happened to this season.
"The Nick Woltemade experiment needs to be scrapped as he can't run or tackle - he's not a midfielder. They have a big problem with him. He's not been good at centre-forward for months now."
'The worrying thing is the amount of goals conceded'published at 10:50 GMT 2 March
10:50 GMT 2 March
Media caption,
BBC Radio Newcastle pundit John Anderson is concerned about the amount of goals the Magpies are conceding in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven league games, most recently conceding three at home in their 3-2 defeat by Everton.
Anderson said in his post-match reaction: "The worrying thing for me is the amount of goals we're conceding.
"We were a side that based everything on being hard to beat and not give goals away.
"You can't question the commitment and desire, it's all there.
"But it's worrying times in the league, there's no doubt about it."
Richard: Nick Woltemade and Anthony are Championship standard at best. Who on earth gave the OK to spending a fortune on these two? Aaron Ramsdale has got to take over from Nick Pope, who is too error prone. Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento and Bruno Guimaraes are sorely missed.
Adam: Our season in a nutshell. We have to work incredibly hard to score goals, but we concede effortlessly.
Barry: Worst performance I've seen for a long time. No cohesion, no vision, wasting so much time on the edge of the area without putting the ball in. Can someone at United please do analysis of how many moves Elanga screws up? Jordan Pickford's amazing save prevented a draw but, to be honest, we didn't deserve it.
Paul: When we start slow, we stay slow. When we start fast, we win.
Everton fans
Carl: It's nice to reach 40 points by February! (Be still my beating heart!!) Not sure about European qualification as I don't think our squad is quite good enough yet. Still... onwards and upwards for all Toffees supporters.
Tom: Save of the season. Hands down. This boy delivers season after season.
Dave: Everton were their typical selves - hard-working and resilient in defence. But Newcastle will always struggle while they believe Dan Burn is the answer. We played three central defenders, all miles better than him. Burn was made to look poor by both Beto and Thierno Barry - which is saying something. But going home very happy and a big thank you to Dan Burn for three points.
Lee: Gritty, determined - never gave up! In Moyes we trust!
Gossip: Chelsea to rival Newcastle for Nunezpublished at 06:50 GMT 2 March
06:50 GMT 2 March
Chelsea have emerged as potential rivals to Newcastle United for 26-year-old Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, who has been frozen out at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. (Chronicle Live), external
Manchester City are willing to pay £70m - a record fee for a full-back - in order to land Tino Livramento from Newcastle. (Teamtalk), external
Analysis: Newcastle need to tighten things up in defencepublished at 12:32 GMT 1 March
12:32 GMT 1 March
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle have let in a whopping 23 goals since they kept their most recent clean sheet in a 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last month.
Newcastle will certainly have to tighten up, given the calibre of opposition they are due to face in the coming weeks.
"There's always a time and place for stern words and now we take a breather," Jacob Murphy said. "Let's all reflect, look back.
"First and foremost, we know where mistakes happened and we've got to go forward and try and iron them out.
"We can't get hyper-emotional every time something doesn't go our way. It will just cause panic and that's something we try to stay away from."
Newcastle have lost three home league games in a row for the first time since Eddie Howe took charge of a relegation-threatened side in 2021.
However, in a strange way, the visit of Manchester United on Wednesday is just the kind of game that could trigger a response.
The players certainly need no added motivation to get up for such occasions under the lights.
The same can be said for home fixtures against Manchester City and Barcelona in the FA Cup and Champions League respectively in March.
But you never quite know what you are going to get from this side - and therein lies the problem.
"We can raise our game when we need to," Howe said. "I don't think that's a sign of a top team, though.
"We have to be at that level all the time. The Premier League is so tough. The games are so difficult regardless of who you play or where you play.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 10:41 GMT 1 March
10:41 GMT 1 March
Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
Newcastle 2-3 Everton: What Howe and Murphy saidpublished at 18:41 GMT 28 February
18:41 GMT 28 February
Media caption,
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said: "A tough game for us. We worked so hard to get back in the game twice and then inexplicably really conceded straight after scoring twice, so desperately disappointing really.
"I don't know if you can work out how that's happened. We were so desperate to get back in the game, did so well to do that but then make a few unfortunate errors, which is where the goals come from.
"It's not a good look for us. We have to support each other and take accountability, it's never down to one person.
On the last minute save by Everton: "That's one of the best saves I've seen and in the context and the timing of the game and what it meant, frustrating for us."
On managing the volume of games: "It's a challenge to lift ourselves back into the Premier League after European games, a big physical effort and we haven't done that well enough. It's not for lack of effort but we have to do better. There's not a break for us and we have to regroup quickly."
Newcastle United goalscorer Jacob Murphy said: "It's a bit of a kick in the teeth. The manner in which we conceded the goals, we got ourselves back in a good situation but they were sloppy goals to concede.
"Just poor defending, they're sloppy goals from us and we have to fix that quickly because teams aren't having brilliant chances against us and they're converting them.
On his goal: "I think once the ball went in the net, it was a sustained spell of pressure for us so it was feeling like a good moment, it looked like we could kick them from there. We went through the storm and we got the goal but it all becomes undone a minute later with a sloppy error.
"It is the manner in which we're conceding goals, were not giving away an abundance of chances. We're conceding sloppy goals, we have to get it back to where it was before and that's something we acknowledge.
On how the team responds: "There's always a time and place for stern words and now we take a breather, let's all reflect, look back. First and foremost we know where mistakes happened and we've got to go forward and try and iron them out. We can't get hyper-emotional every time something doesn't go our way, it will just cause panic and that's something we try to stay away from."
Analysis: League season going up in smokepublished at 17:31 GMT 28 February
17:31 GMT 28 February
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There was understandably plenty of chatter before this game about Newcastle's mouth-watering upcoming Champions League tie against Barcelona.
But this was a huge game in its own right.
Eddie Howe's side are running out of matches to kickstart their league season, yet you would not have known it judging by this display.
Howe made six changes following the win against Qarabag this week, but too many square pegs were placed into round holes as Joelinton was shifted out to the left, Nick Woltemade dropped into midfield and Anthony Gordon led the line.
It was rather telling that Howe moved the trio back into their natural roles after a poor opening half an hour.
The tweaks paid dividends when Jacob Ramsey drew Newcastle level, and the midfielder did not even celebrate as he led his team-mates back into their half for a quick restart.
But any semblance of momentum quickly evaporated - not for the first time this season.
There is a reason this leaky side have now conceded 23 goals in all competitions since they last kept a clean sheet last month.
Having found a way to draw level again, through Murphy, Newcastle quickly fell behind once again.
It brought back memories of a bruising 3-2 defeat against Brentford at this stadium last month.
Just like that evening, there were a smattering of boos at full-time.
This domestic campaign is going up in smoke following a damaging run of five defeats in six games.
Image source, Getty Images
