Now United manager, David Moyes, unable to call on England striker, Wayne Rooney, because of a toe problem, can take his squad to Germany with extra belief for the return leg of the quarter-final with Bayern
Browsing: Newcastle
His only strike this season came in the club’s Capital One Cup win over Morecambe
Jose Mourinho had labelled Chelsea ‘the small-horse’ in a three-horse title race
The victory took City to the top of the Premier League while Newcastle suffered a somewhat harsh fourth successive defeat, but Pellegrini’s pleasure was dampened by a serious knee injury sustained by Samir Nasri following a nasty tackle from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
“I am extremely frustrated. I am playing well but not scoring goals,” he told the Evening Chronicle after missing a good chance in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton
Yohan Cabaye’s goal just after the hour gave Newcastle their first victory at Old Trafford since 1972 and consigned United to back-to-back home defeats in the league for the first time since May 2002
The Magpies can boast a 100% record in November after four successive victories under Alan Pardew and with the hectic and often decisive festive period coming up United are very much in with a shout of at least challenging for a Europa League spot
The Nigerian international caused problems for the Canaries defence throughout his 73 minutes on the pitch, and played a huge part in Gouffran’s strike, starting the move deep inside his own half before racing into the box to head goalwards, which City keeper, John Ruddy, spilled
Even so, United have had a number of second-tier clubs express interest in Ameobi, who has worked his way to the fringes of the first-team squad again this season
The Newcastle danger man, who banged in a goal on his home debut against the Flames of Malawi in Calabar, Cross River State, will be hoping for more goals as the African Champions set out for the kill against the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia
The Nigerian steered an inch-perfect 76th-minute volley past goalkeeper Tim Krul to snatch victory after the Tigers had twice come from behind on Tyneside
“It was a nice moment for their family,” he said. “Shola has looked the best I’ve seen him pre-season. I think the Nigeria selection has given him a boost. I can see it in his eyes
Ameobi’s sudden change of heart appears to be due to Newcastle’s decision to actively look for a new striker to work with Papiss Cisse and new arrival, Loic Remy
Newcastle’s boss, Alan Pardew, who stated this on Monday, believes the winger can establish himself at St James’ Park over the next 12 months
The Magpies stalwart has been linked with several moves this summer, linking him to Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesborough
It followed his strike in Saturday’s 1-3 defeat to Rio Ave, and Pardew sees Ameobi as having a role to play over the coming campaign.
“Shola’s a player that’s under contract here,” Pardew said
Newcastle boss, Alan Pardew, said: “The most worrying thing about the game is that it looks like Shola has hurt his arm and is now off for an X-ray. Right now, I don’t know how bad he is. It’s not a position (striker) we can lose someone right now
Last season, United blocked Nigeria’s bid to call up the big striker for the African Cup of Nations in South Africa