‘Top player’: Eddie Howe blown away by £25m Newcastle player’s work-rate vs Manchester United

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Newcastle United knocked Manchester United of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, in a game that was filled with incredible stories.

So many fringe players came in and impressed for Eddie Howe, while there was also a first start of the season for Joe Willock.

He was named in Newcastle‘s midfield three, and played an important role in the Magpies winning 3-0 to dump Man United out of the competition.

Willock has recently returned to the side after injury, but this was his first start since May. It was a great chance for him to get minutes in his legs and re-find his form, and he did exactly that.

The 24-year-old was exceptional at Old Trafford, producing a display that was full of confidence. He did not look like a player who was starting for the first time in months.

Willock showed why Newcastle players have been raving about his comeback, and proved why he adds something different to this team.

And to top it all off, he got himself a goal. It was a wonderful strike too, finishing low and hard beyond Andre Onana to make it 3-0.

That was basically his final contribution, as Howe decided to take him off in the 64th minute and bring on Bruno Guimaraes.

Eddie Howe seriously impressed with Joe Willock against Man United

After the game, Howe spoke to beIN Sport, and could not hide how delighted he was for Joe Willock.

“Joe is a top player,” he said.

“We have really, really missed him. He’s a goalscoring midfielder as he showed tonight.

“His athleticism I thought was a real standout feature of our first-half performance. He scored the all important third goal, which we needed.

“Delighted to have him back. Our plan was always to take him off around 60 minutes, so hopefully he has come through okay.”

Newcastle gamechanger is back

As Howe says, Willock was particularly exceptional in the first half. He showcased incredible athleticism to get up and down the pitch, and caused Man United so many problems.

He dovetailed with Miguel Almiron brilliantly down the left, with the Red Devils unable to handle them.

Willock is such a hard worker and covers so much ground, while he is becoming so much more decisive in the final third. He is capable of that bit of magic, as we saw with his goal.

It was a wonderful finish from the £25million man, on what will have been an emotional night after being out of the Newcastle XI for so long.