Manchester United memories - Newcastle 2-6 Man Utd.

Part two of our memories of clashes with Manchester United comes from 2003. I did warn you in the last look back at our Manchester United clashes that it wouldn't all be sweetness and light!

You can have a look at the first featured match by clicking here, but this next one is certainly not sweetness and light as it sees Newcastle on the end of a proper thumping from the Red Devils.

It was a tough task trying to decide which game to use, but given that we are playing at St James' Park on Tuesday I wanted to keep it limited to clashes that have taken place at the cathedral on the hill, and ideally keep it to Premier League clashes.

There is another reason for picking this particular thumping though. Paul Scholes, a player who I admire an awful lot, will be out of action for the game on Tuesday after getting himself sent off against Manchester City at the weekend due to a reckless challenge. He isn't the player he once was, but he is still a cracking player in eyes. Here he is at his brilliant best.



Jermaine Jenas gave us the lead with a long-range drive before a hat-trick from Paul Scholes plus one goal each from Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy made it 6-1 to the away side. Shola Ameobi grabbed a consolation to make it 6-2, but we were still well beaten.

I remember watching it and not even getting angry about it. Man Utd were by far the superior team and tore us to shreds. For once, Andy Gray was spot on with his effusive praise of Alex Ferguson's men. Paul Scholes was superb that day, and whilst he may be getting on he was also instrumental earlier on in this season when he picked us apart on the first day of the season.

You should all know by now that I'm not in the habit of praising other clubs players, but Scholes has been different class for a number of years now so I guess he deserves it. I'm glad he is out to be honest. Now we just have to worry about Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs, Nani, Valencia, Hernandez.....

Hopefully we can avoid a repeat of this scoreline tomorrow!