Fergie pleased with display
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his delight after watching his side put in a commanding display against Newcastle.
United came away from St James´ Park with a 3-1 success and Ferguson believes his side showed excellent character in their performance.
" It was a hard game, Newcastle put everything into the match, but I thought the football was excellent at times," said Ferguson.
" It was a bad goal to lose but the immediate reaction got us a penalty kick and at that point I couldn´t see us losing.
" Winning today was good, coming here is very difficult. They´re a very committed and passionate team, and their fans are fantastic.
" I´ve got a great bunch of lads and today´s result will do nothing but encourage them."
Ruud van Nistelrooy´s crucial second came from the penalty spot after Shay Given was adjudged to have brought down Paul Scholes.
Newcastle have since voiced their misgivings about the decision but Ferguson is adamant that referee, Mike Dean, made the right decision.
Ferguson was in no doubt that Scholes was fouled for the penalty and even had time to have a dig at last weekend´s referee in the Manchester derby, Graham Poll.
" A penalty is a penalty," continued Ferguson. " Last week was ridiculous.
" Graham Poll never gives us penalty kicks and that´s a well known fact. Last year at Highbury Ryan Giggs was brought down for a clear penalty.
´´The year before at Chelsea - it was a clear penalty kick when Paul Scholes was brought down.
" We have to live with that but the breaks even themselves out over the season and maybe it´s our turn to get the breaks now."