Newcastle manager Eddie Howe remains in hospital with pneumonia and will miss the next two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

The club said in a statement that Howe, 47, was rushed to the hospital on Friday due to physical discomfort. He had been feeling unwell for several consecutive days and therefore missed the game against Manchester United on Sunday. The game was temporarily managed by assistant coaches Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones, and Newcastle finally won the Red Devils 4-1. They will continue to lead the team in the next two games.

Howe said through the club's official website: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Newcastle United and friends in and outside the football community. Your blessings and regards mean a lot to me and my family."

"I would also like to pay tribute to our great NHS (National Health Service) and the medical staff at the hospital and am grateful for the professional treatment they have given me. After a period of rest, I look forward to returning to the team as soon as possible."

Newcastle currently ranks fourth in the Premier League standings. They will play away to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and face Aston Villa on Saturday.

Before the match with Manchester United, Tindall said: "Eddie has been in poor physical condition this week and was taken to the hospital on Friday night. We all wish him a speedy recovery and a quick return to the team."

After the game, Tindall revealed that Howe sent a congratulatory message immediately: "I just saw the text message he sent, praising the team's performance. He has been paying attention to the game, and I believe this victory has also made him feel much better."

"He had faith in the decision we made. We've been working together for a number of years and we talked earlier this week and he put his faith in us and wanted us to do a great job and make him proud - and I think they did that."

"We work in a way that everyone knows what the manager expects and we have a great group of players who know the responsibility and the high standards they face."