Dan Burn has vowed that Newcastle United players still believe they can 'match' Manchester United following a stirring speech from Alan Shearer.
Eddie Howe was keen to bring in the 'right' guest speaker before Newcastle's Carabao Cup final defeat against the Red Devils because the Magpies boss felt it could have a 'really powerful effect'. Howe extended an open invite to Shearer a few months ago and there was no better time for Newcastle's record goal scorer to address the group than in the run-up to their first final in 24 years.
Shearer returned to the training ground on Friday - the day before Newcastle players and staff flew to the capital - and the club legend spoke about how proud he was of the current squad. Shearer also opened up about his own experiences; Newcastle's former captain, of course, led his side out when they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United in the club's previous final back in 1999.
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While Newcastle's latest showpiece ended in the same scoreline at Wembley on Sunday, the players know that this is just the start of an era - not the end of one.
"It was great for him to come in," Burn told reporters. "He came in and spoke to the lads and we had questions and he told us about his experience and what he would have changed.
"The difference is we can match Man United. They knew Man United were better then, but we are on a level playing field. Everyone believed that."
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