EXCLUSIVE: The Magpies are struggling to rejoin the European race and their Premier League form is a massive cause for concerrn

Newcastle United Chief Executive Officer David HopkinsonNewcastle United CEO David Hopkinson watched on uncomfortably at Old Trafford from the director’s box, knowing that something just isn’t right for Eddie Howe’s Magpies going into 2026.

The Canadian, donning a Toon beanie hat and sitting alongside sporting director Ross Wilson, must assess exactly where Newcastle are after a superb 2025 that brought silverware and Champions League football but now struggle to see off ordinary opponents. Wilson is essentially the boardroom’s football brain and will guide Hopkinson on his first major decision as St James’ Park supremo.

Having both praised Howe in public in December, their wish is to stick with the head coach and give him time to get it right but patience in the fanbase is being tested for some sections of supporters. The view from Saudi Arabia has always been that Newcastle should be challenging for honours and in the top six, but only half of that blueprint is being achieved right now.

The season could still end up with another victory parade. It could also end up trophy-less and with no European football.

The transfer window opens in a matter of days but after a big summer spend, will Newcastle throw money at the problem or do something more drastic?

Wilson, as a football man, could not fault the endeavour of Newcastle, especially in the second half. But should a Magpies side that spent £200m in the summer be at least be taking a point against a team made of Old Trafford kids by the end with Ayden Heaven (19), Jack Fletcher (18), Leny Yoro (20) and Tyler Fredricson (20) all on the field for Man U?

Howe winced on the sidelines as chances came and went and changes to his XI were made but failed to make any difference in terms of the final result. The Magpies boss is said to have been seething behind the scenes before taking his seat in the post-game media conference and facing the Tyneside Press corps.

In it, Howe answered some difficult questions on why his side is lacking confidence, the shape and make-up of his team, and the now must-win clash against Burnley. It’s six wins in 20 Premier League games now for Howe and his backroom team who had Graeme Jones and a clutch of analysts watching from the Press box. None of them had the answers to see off Man Utd.

Above them sat ex-manager Steve Bruce on radio punditry duty at this old club. The style of this Newcastle side differs wildly from some of the abject performances under his reign but the truth is that the outcome was similar to the many times a Mike Ashley side came to Old Trafford.

Howe has been renowned for picking a team that press, chase and make life hell for the opposition. But that wasn’t the case as Man United were allowed to grow in confidence last night during the first half before clinging on to a 1-0 lead given to them by Patrick Dorgu.

Hopkinson’s mantra during some tough away defeats this season has been to “respond not react”. However, if this was a response to the 1-0 loss at Sunderland, it wasn’t 100% convincing; in fact, it had similarities. True, Newcastle created better chances here and hit the bar – but like on Wearside, the Magpies could not match the desire of the eventual winners on the night and lacked quality in the key moments at both ends of the pitch.

For now, Hopkinson continues to survey and observe. He did so earlier in the season when sitting on a near-silent flight back from Brighton after a 2-1 defeat.

And he’s watched on as Newcastle were sunk at Brentford, West Ham, and away to the Wearsiders. Yet losing to a Burnley side feels unthinkable.

The build-up to this game was a bit like what happened on the hallowed turf at the Theatre of Dreams – it was unbalanced. Hopkinson had spoke of a “rocket ship” getting ready for take off and dreams of being “world class” by 2030 only for Howe to then state that the club’s plans for a new stadium and training are in “limbo” and he would “99.9%” be gone by the time those plans come to fruition.

Still, Howe is going into battle with £69m Nick Woltemade, England international Anthony Gordon, sought-after Brazil ace Bruno Guimaraes, Malick Thiaw, and Lewis Hall still at his disposal.

As it stands, Newcastle had the tools to get a job done against a Man United side lacking a host of first-team players and in their worst state since the late 1980s as a club. So why does the recurring theme of being second best keep unfolding before our very eyes?

That is what Hopkinson is here to find out? Even if Newcastle beat Burnley in the final game of 2025 they could have slipped behind the chasing pack as we go into the second half of the campaign and it may be a mountain to climb.

Howe will be judged on the domestic cups and the Champions League too of course. But there is a feeling that a collapsed quest for silverware plus Newcastle staying in the lower half of the table could tip the balance.

It leaves January as the key month and Howe’s future in his own hands for now. Toon chiefs won’t use social media as a measuring stick to decide a possible change in the dugout.

They may not even go off crowd reactions. But after investing big money into this squad and in the club since 2021, the moment it becomes a reality that European money may not be coming into the coffers in the 2026/27 season – seriously denting the PSR cash flows – then the call will be obvious.