‘A different hunger’ - Ex-Man Utd star makes surprise Newcastle United and Leeds United Champions League claim

Newcastle United go in search of back-to-back Champions League wins when they host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night after their stunning win against PSG last time out. Newcastle defeated the French champions 4-1 on a memorable night at St James’ Park as the Champions League returned to Tyneside for the first time in over two decades.

Another clash on home soil, this time against Borussia Dortmund, promises to be another fascinating encounter and it is one that former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes believes the Magpies can come out on top of. Speaking to TNT Sports, Scholes compared the atmosphere at St James’ Park to ones that saw Leeds United reach the semi finals of the competition back in 2001, describing Newcastle as having ‘a different hunger’ than some of their opponents.

Scholes said: “It’s impressive but it’s no surprise. These new teams that come into it, they have a different hunger towards it. They’re a little bit unknown to a lot of teams.

“The atmosphere and players at Newcastle will be something that is unknown to the PSG players, it will be unknown to Borussia Dortmund. We in England know all about it and how special that atmosphere can be.

“I think it’ll be quite similar to what Leeds did a good few years ago, when they came into the Champions League and were brilliant at home and a bit of a surprise to teams – I think Newcastle could do something similar.

“Their home ground was a special atmosphere as well and I think there are some similarities between them and Newcastle.”