Newcastle would’ve beat Man United if they had Ivan Toney says chairman

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Newcastle United failed to beat Manchester United on Sunday, but it would have been different if they had Ivan Toney in their team.

That’s the view of Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who thinks the 26-year-old would have been the difference between a draw and a win.

The Magpies missed multiple chances in the first half at Old Trafford, but played incredibly well. Then they had to battle hard to secure a point.

However, some supporters have came away disappointed with just a draw. That speaks volumes about how well Newcastle played at Old Trafford.

All that was missing from their performance was a goal, and MacAnthony thinks a player like Toney would have provided the golden touch.

MacAnthony on if Newcastle had Toney

The 46-year-old has spoken about Toney’s recent form on the Hard Truth Podcast.

“Ivan is on a different level,” he said.

“Is there better number nine at Chelsea? Is there a better number nine at Manchester United?

“You can go and write a cheque for £100million and buy a player from Holland or France or Italy and give them a year to acclimatise, or you can write a cheque and buy one of the top three numbers nines in the Premier League who’s not even in the prime of his career. What do you do?

“Right now, if Liverpool had owners who would write that cheque I’d happily have him in Liverpool’s team like that! Put him in any of the top six.

“Newcastle spent £40m on a young boy who is going to be a hell of a player and is three years younger than Ivan.

“But again, I watched Newcastle against United, put him in Newcastle’s team and they win that game. How valuable were those two points dropped?”

Toney is in sensational form

There is no denying the fact that Toney is enjoying a sensational start to the season with Brentford. The number 17 is in red hot form, and is only four goals shy of his tally from the previous campaign.

Toney has eight goals in the Premier League so far, which is one less than Harry Kane. Then you’ve got Erling Haaland way out in front in the race for the golden boot.

But Toney should be very happy with his return, and is playing himself into contention for the World Cup. And every goal serves as a reminder that he was once on Newcastle’s books.

The forward was sold by the Magpies in 2018, and he has since gone on to improve dramatically – so much so that Newcastle wanted him during the summer.

Eddie Howe’s side were linked with buying Toney back, but he was deemed too expensive. In the end, Newcastle splashed out on Alexander Isak – the striker that MacAnthony alludes too.

While Toney is outperforming Isak at the moment, the hope is that the super Swede will be a star for years to come.

Of course, MacAnthony’s comments have to be taken with a pinch of salt. He has a vested interest in Toney, as his club have a sell-on clause following his move to Brentford. He will be desperate for Toney to secure a big money transfer.

But would he have been the difference for Newcastle on Sunday? In truth, probably not. Callum Wilson couldn’t provide the killer touch, so why would Toney have done any better?