United manager denies friction remains

It will always be remembered as one of the more embittered rivalries of Alex Ferguson's two decades in English football but a dozen years after Kevin Keegan's infamous "love it" rant in his direction, the Manchester United manager was keen to stress last night that, contrary to popular belief, there is no lingering animosity between the two men.

Ferguson, a notorious rewriter of history, described as a "load of myth" the mind games he is supposed to have deployed to tip Keegan over the edge during the closing stages of the 1995-96 title race.

"That's overplayed," said the United manager yesterday, previewing this afternoon's meeting at St James' Park. "I've always got on well with Kevin. I've never had a problem with him and I'm looking forward to seeing him."

The two managers have not spoken since Keegan returned to Newcastle last month.

When the appointment was made, Ferguson questioned whether it was wise for anyone who had been successful to go back to a club for a second spell.

Newcastle have not won any of Keegan's first five matches and were thrashed 4-1 at Aston Villa in their latest game.

"Kevin's problem is that he didn't have a lot of time to understand the (transfer) market," said Ferguson. "Everyone thinks it's easy getting players in January but it's not. That really was Kevin's problem, not having enough time to get the players he wanted. He's having to rely on the players he inherited for the time being."

Having taken one point from their last two games, Ferguson's men will be eight points off the top at kick-off if Arsenal win at Birmingham in an earlier game.

"We're in a position where we can't afford too many more slip-ups," Ferguson said.

"Going to Newcastle at any time is always a big occasion because they are such passionate fans. Although our record is decent there, we expect a hard game. With Kevin coming back, they'll be determined to get a result."

Chris Hughton is expected to join Newcastle's coaching staff next week, almost certainly as Keegan's number two.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Republic of Ireland full-back, now 49, was most recently assistant manager to Martin Jol at Spurs before losing that position when the Dutchman was sacked in October.

He is expected to replace Nigel Pearson, who left St James' Park following Keegan's appointment in January.

Hughton spent more than 14 years on the Tottenham backroom staff, serving under 10 different managers.

The former defender also began his playing career at White Hart Lane and earned 53 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1979 and 1993.