Newcastle have been tipped for a title challenge next season with the Magpies showing no sign of slowing down.<\/strong><\/p>\n They secured a comfortable victory over Manchester United<\/a> at St. James’ Park on Sunday to move back into the top four. <\/p>\n 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, as well as a Harvey Barnes brace, sealed another three points against the Red Devils.<\/p>\n Newcastle are now just a point off third-placed Nottingham Forest<\/a> with a game in hand on their top four rivals – which will be played on Wednesday night at home to Crystal Palace, live on talkSPORT 2.<\/p>\n At the other end of the spectrum, United’s woes continue as Ruben Amorim struggles to revive the Red Devils following his November arrival.<\/p>\n The Portuguese has won just 13 of his 32 matches across all competitions, with only six of those in the league.<\/p>\n Sunday’s latest defeat was their tenth under Amorim in the Premier League, leaving United 14th and just three points above 17th.<\/p>\n He is set to surpass last season’s eighth place finish for their worst campaign of the Premier League era and record a lowest league position since returning to the top flight in 1975.<\/p>\n In contrast, Newcastle are now on course to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, leapfrogging Forest would set the Toon Army up for their highest league finish since 2003.<\/p>\n It comes after a staggering run of form which has seen Newcastle pick up 36 points since December 14, a run stretching back 16 matches.<\/p>\n Only Liverpool’s tally of 41 from one more fixture is better across the same period.<\/p>\n 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> And Martin Keown<\/a>, a three-time Premier League winner, even believes Eddie Howe’s side can rival the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City to be the best team in England next term.<\/p>\n Asked if Newcastle have gone under the radar, Keown told talkSPORT: “No. I think I’ve always thought, if anything, they weren’t quite getting the consistency in their play.<\/p>\n “Their midfield ate Manchester United alive yesterday. Sandro Tonali in that position, it’s unbelievable how he’s just gone and sat in the middle, that’s been quite revolutionary.<\/p>\n “He sits quite deep, he gets around the pitch. Bruno Guimaraes alongside him and Joelinton, that is quite a formidable midfield. So that’s where they win games now.<\/p>\n “Harvey Barnes, brilliant. The way he comes onto that ball. But Manchester United were in a trance. So passive, the manager looking like he’s out of his depth.<\/p>\n “These are really difficult times for Manchester United. I don’t see a manager who is getting any kind of tune out of this team at all.<\/p>\n 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> “But Newcastle with Eddie Howe, they are going in the right direction. They could test Arsenal for second place.”<\/p>\n Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy last month by beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup<\/a> final.<\/p>\n However, it has been almost a century since the last of their four league titles, which came all the way back in 1927.<\/p>\n Keown believes they could mount a challenge next season after being asked if it is unfair to consider them for a title push.<\/p>\n The former Invincible with Arsenal added: “It’s not unfair at all.<\/p>\n “I think that last year they struggled a little bit dealing with the workload. They haven’t been able to spend the money that they want to accelerate their success.<\/p>\n “They’ve won a first trophy that makes them iconic figures in the north-east. They’ve done something they haven’t done for 70 years.<\/p>\n “I like the way the manager will press high or he’ll sit deep. He changes his tactics. You can see his development in other staff around him, they are allowed to do what they want to do.<\/p>\n “Jason Tindall, he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but the manager says, ‘You behave how you need to to be successful.’ Good team all round and they deserve the success they’ve been getting.”<\/p>\n Newcastle will move above Forest into third if they avoid defeat in their game in hand against Crystal Palace<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n They would also be just four points behind Arsenal in second with a win in midweek.<\/p>\n The two sides are set to meet at the Emirates Stadium on the penultimate weekend of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2210071355.jpg?strip=all&w=960\")
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Newcastle](\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2210081636.jpg?strip=all&w=960\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Only](\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/04\/bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-united-39-987015188.jpg?strip=all&w=960\")
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