EDDIE HOWE has vowed to channel the disappointment of today’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United to help ensure Newcastle United make a winning return to Wembley in the not-too-distant future.

The Magpies’ first major final in 24 years ended in bitter disappointment as a first-half header from Casemiro and a Marcus Rashford strike that took a hefty deflection off Sven Botman ensured Manchester United would win their first piece of silverware under Erik ten Hag.

Newcastle’s supporters were in fine voice at Wembley, turning the national stadium black-and-white as they waved their flags and banners, having packed out Trafalgar Square on the eve of the game.

They had precious little to cheer during the game, such was the extent of Manchester United’s dominance, but Howe is adamant there will be better days to come in the future as Newcastle continue to grow and evolve under their Saudi Arabian owners.

“We’re left with a feeling of defeat in the final, which is never nice, and we’re desperately disappointed,” said the Magpies boss. “But already, for me, you look to the future and you’re desperate to get back here and win a trophy.

“The supporters have been absolutely incredible for us this year, and to see them disappointed at the end hurts badly. The motivation and the thoughts have already turned to how we can get back here and win them the trophy that they deserve.”

Howe’s challenge now is to ensure a season that has delivered so much does not peter out to an underwhelming conclusion.

Newcastle’s players have to pick themselves up for a daunting trip to Manchester City on Saturday, with Tottenham’s Premier League win over Chelsea yesterday meaning they are now four points adrift of the top four.

“I don’t think that (the risk of a cup final hangover) will be an issue,” said Howe. “These players have responded every time they’ve been questioned this season, with a really positive response. They will be disappointed today, and we’ve got a very difficult next game to come. It’s probably the most difficult in the football calendar, but that will be a great challenge for us to go into.”

Newcastle have been touted as top-four contenders all season, but while they have undoubtedly made giant strides in the last 12 months, yesterday’s game highlighted how far they still have to progress before they can be considered genuine equals to the likes of Manchester United.

“They (Man Utd) come from a totally different place to us,” said Howe. “We were fighting against relegation last year, and in a desperate battle to stay in the division.

“We achieved that mission comfortably in the end, although it wasn’t comfortable when you were in the process of working through it. This season was an unknown for us. Would we step up and continue our momentum or would it be another season of struggle?

“The players have done exceptionally well to elevate ourselves to an incredible position, and to have done really well in this competition, but we’re by no means the finished article and we have a lot of work ahead of us. It only gets harder because the competition improves as well.”