... there are many fans out there who believe he could!
The Magpies frontman will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next month after a 14-year stint at the club.
He always did well against the Mackems, but that alone shows he should have been up for the fight more often than he was.
His goal record of one in five games is not very good for a striker, and during his time there were at least four Newcastle managers who tried to sell him.
Sir Bobby Roson called him "gangly" and tried to off-load him, and he went to Stoke on loan and they couldn't wait to get rid of him.
But the 32-year-old insists he is happy with his contribution and performances during his United career.
Shola Ameobi: “When you grow up watching your heroes, you hope and pray that you get the chance to play for the team you support.
“I’ve managed to live that dream and be a part of the history and fabric of this great club.
“That is something I don’t take lightly, and I fully appreciate how lucky I have been.
“I hope the fans realise that I have given everything for this club – blood, sweat and my soul. Hopefully they can appreciate that.
“You have a lot of players who come and go but I have tried to be true to myself every single game and every single season, and I can sleep at night knowing I couldn’t have done any more.
“What I have put on the table has been all of me, and I am very proud to be able to say that.
“Every year, good or bad, has been immense because I’m living every little boy’s dream.”