Newcastle United midfielder Gael Bigirimana is excited to be facing Capital One Cup opponents Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The youngster will have a sizeable contingent of family and friends in the stands at Old Trafford as he attempts to put into practice the lessons he has learned during his first few months on Tyneside.

He said: "I have learned that by working hard, you get your rewards. I have seen all the top players at the club, in training it's always as if their life depends on it.

"That just shows me that for me to be where they are, every day I have got to work hard because the talent is there.

"As a kid, every footballer, you have your talent, but it's how your mentality goes, so I have learned to have a strong mentality and just to keep working harder and harder."