Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United can one day be as big a club as Manchester United.
Newcastle travel to Old Trafford on Sunday with Howe’s side currently sixth in the Premier League, just one point and one place behind the Red Devils.
The Magpies have made a promising start to the season having picked up three wins, five draws and only one defeat from their opening eight league games.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency under new manager Erik ten Hag, winning five but losing three of their league games this season.
Despite their mixed start and lack of major trophies in recent years, United are still viewed as one of the biggest clubs in world football.
But Howe believes that Newcastle, under their Saudi-backed ownership, can eventually match the Red Devils as a global brand.
“I don’t like to put ceilings on clubs,” he said. “Looking at my own history, Bournemouth were associated as a League One, League Two team.
“We have seen them grow into a Premier League club. So why not [Newcastle be as a big as Manchester United]?
“The aims of this club, with the ambition behind the scenes, are huge. We now have to try and deliver those huge ambitions. But there is no ceiling here.
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“When you see the passion around the city, the thing that always blows me away is the young people here – the 12, 13, 14 year olds, their passion for Newcastle. It runs through generations and that won’t stop.
“What will happen, hopefully, is the global brand and the global enthusiasm for Newcastle will grow, if the club can be successful.
“I am putting more pressure on myself here, but that is the challenge and that is where the club wants to be.”
Newcastle have spent more than £200m on players since the Saudi Arabia-backed consortium completed its £305m takeover of the club just over a year ago.
One of Newcastle’s most expensive transfers has been Bruno Guimaraes, who joined the club in a £36m move from Lyon in January.
The Brazil international has made an impressive start to his Premier League career, and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer.
Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth said this week that the club “absolutely do not want to sell” Guimaraes and Howe is equally as keen to keep hold of the midfielder.
“We desperately want Bruno to be happy here, to enjoy his football and see a long-term vision,” said Howe.
“We want to build a team. We’re in the very early stages of that, so we don’t want to disrupt the group we have, we want to add quality – that’s the aim.
“But Bruno has done unbelievably well. He has fitted in so well and epitomised the team spirit and the drive we need to be successful.
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“The supporters have seen that and taken to him from day one. Off the pitch he’s been brilliant. On the pitch, he speaks for Newcastle United.”
