NEWCASTLE boss Becky Langley has emphasised the third-tier outfit are not going to Manchester United for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie to make up the numbers.

The Magpies, who became a full-time professional side this season, are on a considerable roll, currently leading the National League Northern Premier Division after promotion last term and unbeaten for more than a year.

After winning their last two league games 11-3 against Fylde and 7-0 against Halifax, they now head to Leigh Sports Village to take on Marc Skinner’s United, FA Cup and Women’s Super League runners-up last term.

Langley told a press conference: “It’s testing ourselves against the best and it’ll give us a good idea of where we’re at.

“We’re very much the underdogs so the pressure’s not really on us. We’re just here to give absolutely everything into the performance and hopefully come away with a positive result.

“Confidence is really high. We’re not naive, we understand the quality of the opposition. But we have some excellent players who have played in the WSL and Championship, and young players aspiring to be at that level.

“I think in the FA Cup anything can happen. You saw Middlesbrough win against Chelsea [in the League Cup]. I think it’s there to do. We’re there to compete, we’re there to win and we won’t be turning up to make up the numbers.”

After the takeover of Newcastle in late 2021 that saw Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund become majority shareholder, the women’s team officially became part of the club in August 2022 before going full-time the following year.

The stated ultimate aim for the team, who have played three times at St James’ Park in the past year-and-a-half, each with attendances of 20,000-plus, is reaching the WSL, and Langley said: “I think realistically we could probably get there within two to three seasons.”