Manchester United Fans Club

Having prepared to meet his old friend at Old Trafford on Saturday for Newcastle match, Sam Allardyce was sack on Wednesday, just 24 games into his St James’ Park reign. Sir Alex does not miss the opportunity to criticize Newcastle and only have themselves to blame for almost four decades of chronic underachievement.

St James Park has almost become a suicide ground for any manger, Newcastle are searching for their 11th manager during Ferguson 21 years with the Red Devils. Their former manager includes some of the biggest names in the game, none of whom have achieved any tangible success. The expectation levels at Newcastle are too great, a lot of people are saying that now. Until they learned to stand by their man I suppose there will still be grey days ahead for the Toon’s army.

“The unfortunate thing for Sam was that (owner) Mike Ashley did not appoint him. That was probably the most dangerous situation Sam found himself in.

“I still find it amazing though. The people who picked him did so on the back of an outstanding CV given the work he did at Bolton, plus the experience and presence he had.

“And yet, after 24 games, he has gone. That tells you everything about the modern-day game.”

Owen Hargreaves is a major doubt with a rib injury suffered in training, Chris Eagles is out after picking up a thigh injury also in training. United has been facing lots of training’s injury lately, luckily none of it is a serious treat. Gary Neville make his long awaited comeback for the Reserve in mid-week and scoring one goal. He was substituted at half time after his hamstring was a bit tight. Nonetheless Gary may make into the squad today.

Danny Simpson or perhaps, John O’Shea will replace suspended defender Wes Brown at the right back. Louis Saha also picked up a knock in the build-up to Saturday tea-time clash, he and Tevez who suffered minor ankle injury will be subject to late fitness test for inclusion to the squad.

Managerless Newcastle are closing in on their man as they stepped up efforts to lure Harry Redknapp to St James’ Park.

Redknapp did not attend Portsmouth’s scheduled pre-match press conference, leaving the club’s training as the media gathered amid mounting speculation over the Magpies’ interest in him.

PA Sport understands the Tyneside club were preparing to formalise their interest in the 60-year-old by making an approach to Pompey for permission to speak to him. Neither club was either confirming or denying that contact has been made on Friday.

However, Redknapp’s impromptu departure and the fact that Newcastle chairman Chris Mort was away from his desk - club owner Mike Ashley is currently in Hong Kong - added fuel to the fire as the former West Ham boss was backed down to an overwhelming 1/7 favourite with Ladbrokes.

Portsmouth moved quickly on Thursday to make their position clear, insisting Redknapp was happy where he was and committed to the club’s future.

But the word from the south coast was that there is a growing acceptance that his days at Fratton Park could be numbered amid rumours that talks over a compensation package are already under way.

Redknapp, who was driven away from the training ground by chief executive officer Peter Storrie, had earlier played his cards close to his chest, re-iterating yesterday’s insistence that he had heard nothing.

The manager, whose side are due to head north to face the Magpies arch-rivals Sunderland on Sunday, told the Portsmouth News: “To say a deal has already been done is absolute rubbish.

“I couldn’t say anything else because that’s the situation.

“There has been no approach. All I’m doing is trying to get a couple of players in before the Sunderland game, but I haven’t got anywhere with that.

“Nobody from Newcastle has contacted me and in any case, that wouldn’t be allowed. Nobody has contacted Peter Storrie.”

In the meantime, there is the little matter of the Magpies’ trip to United with which to contend.

Coach Nigel Pearson has the task of preparing the team which left Tyneside as they attempt to end a run of three successive league defeats.

He will at least have James Milner and Emre back from illness and an ankle injury respectively, while Stephen Carr could rejoin the squad following a hamstring problem.

United probable line up: Van der Sar (G), John O’Shea (D), Nemanja Vidic (D), Rio Ferdinand (D), Patrice Evra (D), Michael Carrick (M) Darren Fletcher (M), Ji Sung Park (M), Ryan Giggs (M), Cristiano Ronaldo (M), Wayne Rooney (F).

Venue: Old Trafford, 17.15 UK
Predict Score: Manchester United 3 - 0 Newcastle United