Newcastle United know that Champions League qualification will help them attract better players.
It happened in 2023 when Newcastle United signed Sandro Tonali. That was a statement of intent, and there was no way he would have swapped AC Milan for the Magpies had Champions League football not been on offer.
Newcastle United are hoping to offer Champions League football to prospective signings this summer, as they aim to finish in the Premier League’s top five.
Eddie Howe’s team could be joined by Manchester United in the Champions League, despite Ruben Amorim’s side being 14th in the table. They will qualify if they win the Europa League, with the Red Devils facing Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals.
Wayne Rooney namedrops Newcastle United during Manchester United rant
If Manchester United do not qualify for the Champions League, their former captain Wayne Rooney believes players will think twice about moving to Old Trafford – especially with emerging forces like Newcastle United and Aston Villa competing near the top of the table.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate on YouTube, Rooney expressed concerns over Man United’s ability to attract players.
“For Manchester United over the next few years, they need to attract players to the football club,” he said.
“When you are losing games of football and obviously you are relying on the Europa League to get into the Champions League. If Man United don’t win that and don’t finish in the Champions League, if I put my player’s hat on…
“I signed for Manchester United because of Alex Ferguson. Man United were going through a transition period at the time, but I knew Alex Ferguson would get it right.
“If I’m a player now and Manchester United came in for me, I’m thinking ‘the manager hasn’t done great, they’re losing games, how do I see this moving forwards’. Then you’ve got teams like Aston Villa and Newcastle who are coming up and challenging. That would be my concern.”
Manchester United eye Matheus Cunha transfer ahead of Newcastle United
When you compare both clubs and their respective projects, it is understandable why Rooney believes that Newcastle United are a threat to Manchester United.
The Magpies have been on an upwards trajectory ever since the change of ownership, and there is no reason to believe their progress will stall after ending the club’s trophy drought. PIF want Newcastle United to be elite – which is what Man United were back in the day.
In contrast, Man United are not impressive on the pitch, while they are not much better off it.
Despite this, the Red Devils still have some pulling power in the transfer market.
Newcastle United are interested in Matheus Cunha, but it is Ruben Amorim’s side who are expected to snap up the Wolves attacker.
It has been claimed that Cunha wants to join Manchester United, irrespective of whether or not they qualify for next season’s Champions League.
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