MICHAEL Chopra was disappointed not to salvage a point for The Magpies in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United.

The young striker was thrown into the fray with 20 minutes left, and only a fine injury time save from Tim Howard denied him what would have been a headline-grabbing strike.

"I was disappointed that that did not go in," said the Geordie youngster.

"I knew where Alan was going to play the ball, and I saw the gap and ran into it. I got ahead of Rio Ferdinand and tried to place it, but the goalkeeper has made the save.

"I'm disappointed, because the lads on the bench were telling me I had to do an Alan Shearer celebration if I got on and scored. It wasn't to be though."

Despite the disappointment of failing to get on the scoresheet, Chopra was delighted to be involved in such a big game.

"When Craig was injured and missed training on Friday I thought I may have a chance, then in the team meeting on saturday the gaffer said I was on the bench," he added.

"It's great to be involved, and it was a good test for me against international defenders like Rio Ferdinand, Mikael Silvestre and John O'Shea.

"I tried my best, and hopefully I did enough to stay involved in the big game against Partizan on Wednesday."