Les Ferdinand gives verdict on whether Newcastle can qualify for the Champions League after win vs Man United

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Newcastle United moved into the top four thanks to a dominant win against Manchester United.

After going in level at half time, the Magpies stepped up a notch and put three past Ruben Amorim’s side in the second period to secure a fantastic 4-1 win against their historic rivals.

Newcastle United made it four straight wins in the Premier League and five in all competitions by dispatching a Manchester United side who have looked a shell of their former selves this season.

It was the first time Newcastle had done the league double over the Red Devils since 1931, a sign of the different trajectories the two teams are currently on.

Newcastle are aiming for Champions League football this season. They still have to play the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal but can make their way up to third in the table with a win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Alan Shearer was full of praise for Tino Livramento during the win, while Harvey Barnes‘ brace took the headlines. Elsewhere, Sandro Tonali scored another brilliant goal at St James’ Park after his sensational strike against Brentford in early April.

With Newcastle back up into the top four, former Magpies Les Ferdinand has predicted whether he can see his old club return to the Champions League.

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Les Ferdinand on Newcastle United’s Premier League run-in

With seven games left in the season, Newcastle are in a good position to finish the season strong. As it stands, they can still win the Premier League, although that looks to be a very difficult task with Liverpool far ahead of the pack.

Newcastle players will still settle for a return to the Champions League, however, it would round off a memorable season following their Carabao Cup win in March.

Speaking to Sky Sports following Newcastle’s win against Man United, Ferdinand assessed the race for the Champions League and predicted whether he thinks his former club will finish in the top five.

“When you look at the games that are left for them, it’s a tough run-in,” he said.

“They’ve still got to play Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Aston Villa away as well.

“It’s a tough run-in, but the run of form they’re in at the moment it doesn’t matter who they come up against. I feel like they’re very confident, there’s a real good togetherness about this team. Hopefully, they can go on and get the results they need to get them into that Champions League place.”

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Les Ferdinand makes big Eddie Howe claim after Newcastle United win

Toon boss Eddie Howe missed Newcastle’s win through illness, but assistant manager Jason Tindall confirmed the 47-year-old watched the game and sent his congratulations to the players and staff.

After the game, Ferdinand admitted that Howe will be quite ‘jealous’ to have missed the win, given the rivalry between the two teams and what it meant to the Premier League table.

Tindall did not confirm whether Howe will be back in the dugout for Wednesday’s game against Crystal Palace, but promised to provide an update as soon as they had one.

Speaking immediately after the win on Sunday, Ferdinand said: “There are always pivotal games in a season and that EFL Cup game against Liverpool has just pushed them on. They know that they belong in these echelons and they want to play in the Champions League year in and year out.

“It didn’t matter that Manchester United scored, I always felt that Newcastle would go and win that game.”

Last season, Ferdinand had high praise for Anthony Gordon during Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Man United at Old Trafford. The winger returned to the Magpies’ matchday squad for the first time since being sent off against Brighton in the FA Cup in March.