Ahead of Newcastle United Under-21s' final game of 2023, a Premier League 2 away trip to Manchester United on Saturday afernoon, Michael Ndiweni is aiming for a positive end to the calendar year.
The young Magpies face their Red Devils counterparts at Carrington Training Ground (kick-off 2.30pm GMT) and can move into the top 16 spots of the division, which utlimately guarantees qualification for a single elimination play-off at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, with a victory this weekend.
Ndiweni, who made his Premier League debut for his boyhood club during a 4-1 win against Chelsea at St. James’ Park last month, is looking forward in returning to Premier League 2 action following a lengthy period since claiming a 1-0 win against Everton in October.
The 20-year-old striker, who hails from Throckley, told nufc.co.uk: “I think it’s important that we end the year strongly and it gives us a good platform to start the new year well. The game against Everton was quite a while ago and everyone is itching to get back playing in the league.
“To get back-to-back victories, over such a long period of time, would show how professional we’ve been in training and how well we’ve worked when there hasn’t been games on as well as our focus over the last few weeks.
“We know Man United will have good players and it’s about making sure in the build-up to the game that we’re very focussed and if we are strong defensively in all areas, we have many players who are good enough to attack and score goals.
“Our aim is to finish in the top 16 which allows us to progress into the next stage of the competition and a win against Man United, to end the new year, would show our intentions to do that.”
Following his English top-flight bow along with being named on the bench for United’s UEFA Champions League draw away at Paris Saint-Germain, Ndiweni is hoping to build on his involvement within the first-team squad in recent weeks.
The Geordie forward, who signed his first professional contract for the Magpies in the summer of 2022, reflected on his maiden outing at professional level against the Blues, eight years on from joining United’s youth set-up at the age of 12.
"Making my Premier League debut against Chelsea was everything I've worked hard for since joining Newcastle's Academy,” he added. "I'm so grateful and it was a special moment and I want to thank the coaches as well as my family and friends who have helped me throughout my journey.
"I found out the night before that I'd been named in the matchday squad and I couldn't contain my excitement. It was so surreal and the experience is something I'll never forget. To be part of a big win for the club you've supported as a young kid and against a top side in Chelsea at St. James' Park was very special.
“You gain many experiences and learn a lot from the first-team, whether that is travelling with them for away games or being on the bench. You get a boost of confidence from that and hopefully I can take those boosts and what I’ve learnt from those experiences into Saturday’s game."
