Gary Neville has acknowledged that despite the fact Newcastle United "have spent money", their success is not solely due to their financial investment.
Sunday's 2-0 victory over Manchester United saw the Magpies move up to third in the table thanks to goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson. A place in next season's Champions League is well within the club's reach and Neville believes that is not simply due to the increased spending power that Newcastle have available to them.
“They have spent money but it’s not been a lavish transition from the Mike Ashley era to this era," he told the Gary Neville Podcast. "They brought in a good manager with Eddie Howe and they brought in good players with good characters. Epitomised no more so than the right-back. I think Kieran Trippier is an outstanding full-back.
ALSO READ: Luke Shaw claims Newcastle United did not beat Manchester United 'on quality'
"I was watching him and I have to say he knows the position inside out. He knows how to deliver the ball, he knows the weight of the pass, he rolls it to the right side, he knows how to defend the back post, he has his body shape open – he’s a good example to the rest of the players in the club. And I’m not sure Newcastle have always had that over the last 10 to 12 years.
"They’ve got some really talented [attacking] players as well, but defensively it starts there. The goalkeeper [Nick Pope] is solid even though he’s not been worked today – the back four are really, really good.
"We can be quite often critical of defenders who don’t defend. They don’t do a lot wrong that Newcastle back four. They push up the pitch to the right sort of space where they don’t leave stupid space in behind. Their spacing is good, they are compact, aggressive and they are really sound.
"In midfield, you look at [Bruno] Guimaraes who is a fantastic player – then you’ve also got Willock and [Sean] Longstaff. They’re not sensational names but they’ve got real energy and they’ve got real purpose.
"I thought their midfield would struggle against Man United today, but in the midfield, Newcastle overran Manchester United. And up front, they’re not a co-ordinated front three Newcastle. Irrespective of which ones you see, but they’re dangerous, they’re willing.
"[Alexander] Isak I think is going to be quality. He’s more than just a good forward. He’s got an intelligence to him. If I had any criticism of Newcastle United’s performance today it would be their lack of composure in the final third. But then he delivers it with [his pass] to Guimaraes [for the Willock goal]."
READ NEXT
Newcastle United 2-0 Manchester United: Magnificent Mags climb into third place
Newcastle United supporters send 'real deal' warning to top four rivals after Man United victory
- Newcastle United owners react after latest financial figures show £70.7m loss
- Newcastle United financial accounts show £70m loss but provide positivity for the future
