Malcolm Macdonald: "Because away to Stoke City is going to be a severe examination of United’s bottle carried out before the steady gaze of the nation live on TV.
"Going to Stoke on a Monday night isn’t the most attractive fixture of the season – they will bully you if you show any weaknesses.
"United have to scrap as they did at Crystal Palace in midweek to gain a Capital One Cup win in extra time.
"Maybe that was achieved because Pardew brought in quite a few Geordies. I’m not saying the foreign lads don’t care, just that Geordies know what the Mags mean to the fans.
"Jamie Carragher will no doubt be in the Sky studio on Monday and he’ll tell it as he sees it. He slaughtered the United players for their lack of backbone at Southampton and I admired him for that because he was right.
"A lot of ex-pros sit on the fence blurting out phrases like “he’ll be disappointed with that” but not Carragher.
"He had huge mental strength as a player and he expects it from others.
"It was terrific to see Newcastle win in London, but the bottom line is that they are still without a victory in the Premier League and are bottom of the pile. Wednesday night didn’t help eradicate that.
"I was pleased to see Manu Riviere score twice at Palace because I think the lad has got a chance, but he has been isolated and has suffered as a consequence. Those goals will have done his confidence the world of good.
"I was also pleased for Adam Armstrong. For a 17-year-old he did exceptionally well. He looks to have a great future though he will need nursing very carefully. Sure, Palace fielded what was virtually their reserve side but Newcastle weren’t at full strength either and they battled hard for their victory.
"There were plenty of Geordies in the side – Armstrong, Sammy Ameobi, Jack Colback, Paul Dummett and Steven Taylor. That helped identification with the fans and they all put in a shift.
"Now it’s onwards and hopefully upwards. The fight-back has to start somewhere so why not Stoke?"