Ipswich has something in common with their next visitors Newcastle United. What is it? Both have a statue to the much loved Sir Bobby Robson standing guard over the gateway to dreams.

He fashioned Ipswich and grew to love them with a passion. He loved United through birthright and finally managed them. Now they come together, the Town and the Toon, on the return of Ipswich to top flight football.

Who will take the spoils in the Bobby Robson derby? We all emphasised what a big three-match week this is for United and now they must strive to make it three wins to sweep away any lingering troublesome thoughts and give Geordies an ideal Christmas.

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Home comforts have brought three points with a 4-0 shellacking of Leicester City and Carabao Cup semi-final qualification having swept aside Brentford 3-1. Next we have to go away from the security of St James Park and do exactly the same again.

Have we in our relief seen confirmation of the emergence of Sandro Tonali from admittedly self inflicted wounds and a 10-month ban into the majestic talent which encouraged United to pay £52m for his services? Tonali is certainly the talk of the Toon.

He was majestic anchoring victory over Leicester and his astonishing two-goal first-half blast took out Brentford big time.

If he quickly cemented his international reputation with Italy after his return from isolation it has taken a little longer at club level simply because he needed to be played where he is most effective and that is centre of a midfield three. A No.6 who with his range of passing, good balance and athleticism breaking forward, is devastating. His technique quite outstanding and defensive covering intuitive.

Tonali has deserved at that has come his way because his attitude, commitment, and realisation of what club and fans have done for him during his long spell out has been extemporary. He could easily have gone deep into his shell and looked for an escape back to his own country but instead he has embraced a new culture, new language and lifestyle, and a different style of play which requires great fitness and energetic pressing.

It must also be said that Bruno Guimaraes has hardly suffered by being moved right to allow Tonali to become a Coldstream Guard resplendent outside Buckingham Palace.

The only blot on United's copybook midweek was not giving up a late goal to prevent a second clean sheet _ that didn't matter _ but the indiscipline that brought about bookings for Fabian Schar and Bruno which means they miss the semi-final first leg.

Maybe it will not impact on current euphoria but it will come a tough semi against top Premier League opposition with Wembley within smelling distance and Nick Pope already out injured. Especially the absence of Schar because of a chronic lack of cover. However that is for another day.

Despite the ruthlessness of Newcastle in defeating Leicester they still enter Bobby Robson's old ground in 12th place having failed to move up even a rung of the ladder which is a situation that needs to be further addressed. The climb is up a greasy pole.

Of course playing away should not automatically result in deflation if Tonali brings his touch and relentless forward passing to bear rather than the monotonous sideways ball played by so many modern day footballers with an eye on their stats. If Alexander Isak is his elegant self, if Anthony Gordon is as hypnotic as a cobra rising from a basket, if Bruno plays like a captain. Not if United match Ipswich for attitude, desire, and passion _ the three things where the Mags could turn the tide on a team strongly relying upon such commodities.

Ipswich have not won a solitary match at home _ I know, I'm tempting fate _ but they are not as bad as their record might suggest. The Tractor Boys have a bright young manager who fashioned back-to-back promotions, they have a minority shareholder Ed Sheeran who sings their praises to willing ears, and they play with undiluted pride and hope that has kept them competitive in every game.

Sure, we have a back up keeper Martin Dubravka, no experienced striker on the bench with Callum Wilson missing yet again, no Joelinton through suspension, but then these things are part and parcel of football. They are not excuses but life. United have to simply get on with it again.

Besides if we think losing Big Joe is a blow then Ipswich are reeling from a much bigger one having lost their top scorer Liam Delap to a similar fifth booking ironically in a skirmish after the final whistle at Wolves.

Delap, brought up in Man City's academy, is only 21 years of age is destined for big things with a host of elite clubs jostling to compete for his signature. His absence is like United losing Isak with no automatic replacement.

It will be either available-again Sean Longstaff or Joe Willock for Joelinton _ positionally Willock is the better option if deemed fit and sharp enough to impose himself on play from the start because he would fit in automatically on the left.

However what is required is the sort of passion, the one-eyed love of the game and the club, that was so ably displayed by Bobby Robson. If we see that all will be well.