Elliot is tipping a Toon win

JUST once in half a century have Newcastle beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford – and that was nine years ago.

Since then, as in previous decades, it’s been hammerings, heartache and hard-luck stories.

But Eddie Howe’s upwardly-mobile Toon side head there today on the back of thumping wins over Fulham and Brentford and with the belief that they can emulate the Old Trafford achievement of Alan Pardew’s side who won 1-0 in December 2013.

As Toon’s back-up keeper on that day, Rob Elliot (below) was one of just three Englishman who featured in the matchday squad, with Shola Ameobi and Mike Williamson, who he now works alongside as part of National League Gateshead’s management team.

He’s convinced that history beckons for today’s Magpies.

“In the past, you’d say that if Manchester United had an off-day and you were on top of your game, then you stood a chance,” Elliot said.

“But Newcastle go there with a genuine 50-50 chance. In fact, I probably make them slight favourites. That’s not the heart ruling the head.

“If you study the two teams, player for player, you can make a very strong case for Newcastle to win this one.

“A combined XI would probably feature five or six from Newcastle.

“Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Sven Botman, Fabian

Schar, Callum Wilson – there I’ve just reeled off six names you’d find very hard to leave out.

“The Toon Army head to Old Trafford more optimistic than they’ve been for a long time.”

Elliot can recall the scenes in the away dressing room after that last victory in 2013.

He added: “Some great Newcastle sides have come unstuck there. Neither Kevin Keegan nor Sir Bobby Robson, for all the great things they did, beat United away.

“It was lovely to end that long barren spell. The latest run without a win there isn’t as long – and I’m taking this Newcastle team to end it.”