The build-up to Newcastle United's clash against Manchester United already has spats of their famous encounter back in 1996 at St James' Park.
That day Kevin Keegan's side ran out 5-0 winners over Alex Ferguson's men as the goals flowed from Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and most notably Philippe Albert. Newcastle did not need much motivation to beat Man United after losing at Wembley in the Charity Shield 4-0.
Whether Eddie Howe factors the 2-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup final and uses it as motivation remains to be seen. But in the eyes of the supporters, revenge will almost certainly crop up in pre-match chats in pubs and clubs on Tyneside as the game gets closer.
READ MORE: Newcastle United note book as Magpies discuss idea of feeder club link up
Keegan's team talk that day was short and sharp and consisted of: "You owe them one". Howe, unlike previous managers, has spoken in positive terms about Keegan.
He isn't daunted by the man fans dub the Messiah and has even invited KK to have a motivational chat with players. Whether the open invite coincides with the clash against Man United remains to be seen.
Former Toon star Peacock said: "We always remembered the Charity Shield, more than the previous season. "We had a clear picture of what had happened at Wembley, we hadn’t played well.
"We knew we had in the previous game at St James’ Park, but at Wembley we were awful. It might not have been such a big deal for Manchester United, but for us at Newcastle, for the players and the supporters, this was huge.
"We wanted to get one back; not just to win the game, but to play to our maximum, to give something back to the supporters."
Whether the past intertwines with the present in the coming days remains to be seen. But three big Premier League points to push Newcastle back into the Champions League would be the perfect way for Howe's team to respond just weeks after Wembley.
Howe has used history to motivate his team before this season and the players have also been shown video clips of the past to help gee them up and lighten the mood. Howe brought in Alan Shearer in the week leading up to the Carabao Cup final.
Whatever happens, Geordie fans - in the words of Keegan himself - would "love it" if Newcastle beat Man United next weekend.
READ NEXT
- Newcastle United fans to get 'front row seat' as details of Amazon Prime series officially confirmed
- Inside the bonkers summer when Newcastle United became 'Dad's Army'
- Newcastle United hit headlines in Italy with £88million 'offer' for Victor Osimhen
- Newcastle hoping for double boost fitness boost with Almiron and Gordon
- Steve Harmison's take on NUFC since takeover and reply to Klopp financial dig
