The greatest season of our lives couldn’t be summarised in just five key takeaways; my usual from this season’s series.
There was simply too much to discuss and reflect on after an incredible campaign. So, as promised, here is part 3 and our 2024/25 takeaways from seven to 10 after covering one to six in part 1 and part 2.
- Lewis Miley: Stay or Loan?
A curious year for last season’s breakout young star, I’m sure the Geordie native will be as restless and frustrated as minutes on the pitch proved elusive. His brilliance flashed briefly against Bromley, a sweet, straight drive showcasing his potential, but that cameo aside, he has really struggled this season.
His most obvious challenge is the sheer quality in front of him, with the starting midfield three as good as anyone’s in the division. Yet, Howe’s reluctance to use him – especially when games are sewn up early, and United have all but declared, like against Southampton in January – continues to baffle. Miley’s growth would be hugely aided with more minutes.
If he is kept around the squad next season, he should naturally get more game time by the virtue of there being more games. Hopefully, 2025/26 will be a huge year for the 19-year-old.
- A light right side vs a stacked (but stroppy) left side
United are stacked with quality at LW with Barnes having an excellent campaign, playing a pivotal role during the hugely successful second half of the season. Gordon, despite appearances and fan ranting on social media, has been excellent too, grabbing 16 goal involvements (9 goals, 7 assists) in 42 appearances, and recency bias has clearly robbed fans of the memory of just how good he was across the two-legged League Cup semi-final against Arsenal, where he scored in both legs.
The ‘problem’, of course, is that both want to play on the left and there just haven’t been the games to rotate the pair in and out this season with one often injured or suspended when the other isn’t, and shoehorning them in on the RW (or ST in Gordon’s case) never really seems to work, one glorious Gordon cross aside. Thankfully, the upcoming season’s packed schedule will demand rotation.
Conversely, the right wing depth is nonexistent – there’s Jacob Murphy. The number 23 has carried the mantle with aplomb, but summer reinforcements are non-negotiable – I don’t really care who they are, just as long as someone comes in who is of the level required.
Honestly, has there ever been a more lopsided squad, in terms of quality on the wings, than Newcastle’s?
- Cup Run: Unsung Heroes
28 August 2024: Glory was a faint echo and it was a night for grit. Tonali’s return was the big story but in bagging basically the strongest side in the 2nd round draw in Forest, United were 4:2 down in the shootout and facing elimination. Mercifully, Forest missed two penalties in a row and Sean Longstaff stepped up to score the winner. A huge moment to savour for the homegrown academy talent.
A turgid 3rd round tie against AFC Wimbledon was settled by a cool Fabian Schär penalty as United had an act of God to thank for finally getting a home cup tie at the eighth attempt.
Axel Disasi and a second-string (£600m mind!) Chelsea squad helped us on the way in the 4th just two days after a shocking display away at Stamford Bridge.
A huge congrats to Martin Dubravka, who turned back time with heroic saves to help United through the QF and SF, notably denying Gabriel at the Emirates. His exclusion from the final seemed an ode to Howe’s often-cited over-loyalty to favoured players over form, but whatever the reason, Dubravka’s contributions were the bedrock of United’s wins in those rounds.
And, to the crowd inside Wembley on 16 March – you were amazing, it was fizzing, tumultuous, and roared like a tempest. If you’ve not heard BBC Five Live’s commentary, do. It rivals the fiercest derbies, a testament to fans whose voices were the soundtrack buzzing through the mics.
- Off-field Issues Must Be Sorted
Drama, Newcastle’s perennial companion, follows us even in the wake of huge success. Following on from Staveley and Ashworth’s exits last summer, this summer will see Paul Mitchell and Darren Eales leave the club.
A Canadian fella is said to be the leading candidate for the CEO role, but all this off-field stuff seems to run at a glacial pace – perhaps high-speed internet isn’t a thing in Riyadh… has anyone still got a fax machine or Ceefax?
United haven’t signed a first-teamer of note for three straight transfer windows, a fact that has some in the fanbase twitchy after just six days despite only Chelsea, Man Utd, and Liverpool signing anyone of note. Stability atop the hierarchy and a marquee signing – beyond the promising Antonio Cordero – will quieten restless Twitter handles across Tyneside.
But none of that should detract from the brilliance of this historic season, one which I will always cherish, one which has seen a full series of ‘5 Takeaways’ articles, and one which will be fondly remembered forever.
Here’s to next season.
Keep the faith. HWTL
Jonathan Young, the Deliveroo expert.
Just keeps going on and on about “takeaways”.
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