Blasphemy! A wee club in the north-east threaten sir Alex Ferguson's dominance!
Gary Neville
Published at 12:01AM, June 09 2026
"I carry that because I'm the manager of the most famous club in the world. I'm not at Newcastle, a wee club in the north-east. That's simply the facts of life."
Heavy words but few would argue with Sir Alex Ferguson when he said them back in December 2012. Little did he know they would return to haunt him at a latter stage of his career at Manchester United. The club had just overhauled Liverpool's record of league titles prompting those unforgettable "champ19ns" signs the supporters lifted so emphatically. With Liverpool locked in neverending rebuilding it appeared we were to enjoy the record for quite some time. Despite losing the next championship to those noisy neighbours City it was a safe bet United would eventually extend the gap further. Rumours broke that Ferguson was expected to announce his retirement when the 20th title was claimed with the motions in place for David Moyes to inherit a squad many would dream to manage.
Neither happened. The red half of Manchester still expects the 20th and Sir Alex is still in the trenches to bring that evasive title back to Old Trafford. And now it seems someone else is close to overhauling his own record. Because as the Kop politely reminded him during the last Manchester United visit at Anfield, records are there to be broken. That's simply the facts of life.
But let's take a path down memory lane to see how it all started. Manchester United pipped star striker Robin van Persie from old rival Arsene Wenger and looked all set to triumph. Competition was expected from Arab-money high flying Manchester City and Roman Abramovich's expensively renewed Chelsea but United was well prepared for that. You can prepare for the threat you see and both City and Chelsea were a known quantity for Ferguson. The threat he couldn't have been aware of came from a Sunday league footballer.
The initial reactions when Dimiter Hristov replaced Alan Pardew at the Newcastle hot seat were not very welcoming, to say the least. The Magpies once again became subject of widespread ridicule - a common feat since Mike Ashley bought the club. Many supporters lamented Ashley's shocking decision to release the man who took them so close to the Champions League the very previous season and despite a freshly signed 8-year contract supposed to bring "stability" in the club. The backlash was so fierce managing director Derek Llambias was forced to hold open talks with fans and even endured a cannonade of eggs on a notorious occasion.
Just like his adversary Ferguson, Hristov's future was in the balance before he even had the chance to win his first trophy at the club. Hristov passionately claimed his predecessor's ideas of football were too goal-shy for the modern game and Newcastle were right to look elsewhere before the Pardew-second season syndrome hit them. The fans were promised attractive football and goals but were worried at the sale of important players like Jonas, Perch, Simpson, Obertan and club legend Shola Ameobi. Hristov pointed they wouldn't fit his system and with the French revolution conducted prior to his arrival they would have had trouble starting games anyway. The funds were reinvested for the notable arrivals of Martin Olsson, Landon Donovan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Newcastle took full advantage of an easy opening fixture list and collected 5 wins from 5 games before hosting Manchester United. The Leazes End remembered the glory days of the Entertainers Keegan era as Yohan Cabaye and Papiss Cisse both got braces with Demba Ba completing the rout, the final score 5-0.
This was the emphatic win Hristov was looking for and once they secured it, Newcastle never looked back. They went on to claim the title and remained unbeaten in the entire season. And Manchester United finished third, 3 points behind City.
Seasons went on as Newcastle built on their success and returned stronger and stronger each time around. Ferguson quickly learnt how one-time archrival Wenger felt as he was forced to fight for a top 4 finish, occasionally mounting a title challenge to have his hopes shattered as early as March.
Manchester United league position:
2012/13 - 3rd
2013/14 - 4th
2014/15 - 2nd
2015/16 - 3rd
2016/17 - 6th
2017/18 - 9th
2018/19 - 5th
2019/20 - 10th
2020/21 - 12th
2021/22 - 2nd
2022/23 - 3rd
2023/24 - 2nd
2024/25 - 3rd
2025/26 - 6th
Manchester United bottled at least three of these seasons. Things may have been different if they had managed to break Newcastle's title streak at least once. But the Magpies are no longer a wee club from the north-east and they have amassed 18 league titles.
Should Newcastle win the Premiership again, Manchester United will no longer be the biggest club in England. Sir Alex has been promised support from the board to do whatever is needed to prevent this from happening. Could he do it? Will it be his last season? Or could someone else upset the odds?
Stay with us as we follow the build-up to what promises to be the greatest season we have ever witnessed. Post comments and share rumours you've heard. We will be back with you.
Gary Neville
Published at 12:01AM, June 09 2026
"I carry that because I'm the manager of the most famous club in the world. I'm not at Newcastle, a wee club in the north-east. That's simply the facts of life."
Heavy words but few would argue with Sir Alex Ferguson when he said them back in December 2012. Little did he know they would return to haunt him at a latter stage of his career at Manchester United. The club had just overhauled Liverpool's record of league titles prompting those unforgettable "champ19ns" signs the supporters lifted so emphatically. With Liverpool locked in neverending rebuilding it appeared we were to enjoy the record for quite some time. Despite losing the next championship to those noisy neighbours City it was a safe bet United would eventually extend the gap further. Rumours broke that Ferguson was expected to announce his retirement when the 20th title was claimed with the motions in place for David Moyes to inherit a squad many would dream to manage.
View attachment 343230
2010/11 - Glorious season! Glorious future?
2010/11 - Glorious season! Glorious future?
Neither happened. The red half of Manchester still expects the 20th and Sir Alex is still in the trenches to bring that evasive title back to Old Trafford. And now it seems someone else is close to overhauling his own record. Because as the Kop politely reminded him during the last Manchester United visit at Anfield, records are there to be broken. That's simply the facts of life.
View attachment 343231
A look down memory lane - what happened?
A look down memory lane - what happened?
But let's take a path down memory lane to see how it all started. Manchester United pipped star striker Robin van Persie from old rival Arsene Wenger and looked all set to triumph. Competition was expected from Arab-money high flying Manchester City and Roman Abramovich's expensively renewed Chelsea but United was well prepared for that. You can prepare for the threat you see and both City and Chelsea were a known quantity for Ferguson. The threat he couldn't have been aware of came from a Sunday league footballer.
The initial reactions when Dimiter Hristov replaced Alan Pardew at the Newcastle hot seat were not very welcoming, to say the least. The Magpies once again became subject of widespread ridicule - a common feat since Mike Ashley bought the club. Many supporters lamented Ashley's shocking decision to release the man who took them so close to the Champions League the very previous season and despite a freshly signed 8-year contract supposed to bring "stability" in the club. The backlash was so fierce managing director Derek Llambias was forced to hold open talks with fans and even endured a cannonade of eggs on a notorious occasion.
Just like his adversary Ferguson, Hristov's future was in the balance before he even had the chance to win his first trophy at the club. Hristov passionately claimed his predecessor's ideas of football were too goal-shy for the modern game and Newcastle were right to look elsewhere before the Pardew-second season syndrome hit them. The fans were promised attractive football and goals but were worried at the sale of important players like Jonas, Perch, Simpson, Obertan and club legend Shola Ameobi. Hristov pointed they wouldn't fit his system and with the French revolution conducted prior to his arrival they would have had trouble starting games anyway. The funds were reinvested for the notable arrivals of Martin Olsson, Landon Donovan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Newcastle took full advantage of an easy opening fixture list and collected 5 wins from 5 games before hosting Manchester United. The Leazes End remembered the glory days of the Entertainers Keegan era as Yohan Cabaye and Papiss Cisse both got braces with Demba Ba completing the rout, the final score 5-0.
View attachment 343236
2012/13 - Fergie knew they blew it that day
2012/13 - Fergie knew they blew it that day
This was the emphatic win Hristov was looking for and once they secured it, Newcastle never looked back. They went on to claim the title and remained unbeaten in the entire season. And Manchester United finished third, 3 points behind City.
Seasons went on as Newcastle built on their success and returned stronger and stronger each time around. Ferguson quickly learnt how one-time archrival Wenger felt as he was forced to fight for a top 4 finish, occasionally mounting a title challenge to have his hopes shattered as early as March.
Manchester United league position:
2012/13 - 3rd
2013/14 - 4th
2014/15 - 2nd
2015/16 - 3rd
2016/17 - 6th
2017/18 - 9th
2018/19 - 5th
2019/20 - 10th
2020/21 - 12th
2021/22 - 2nd
2022/23 - 3rd
2023/24 - 2nd
2024/25 - 3rd
2025/26 - 6th
Manchester United bottled at least three of these seasons. Things may have been different if they had managed to break Newcastle's title streak at least once. But the Magpies are no longer a wee club from the north-east and they have amassed 18 league titles.
Should Newcastle win the Premiership again, Manchester United will no longer be the biggest club in England. Sir Alex has been promised support from the board to do whatever is needed to prevent this from happening. Could he do it? Will it be his last season? Or could someone else upset the odds?
Stay with us as we follow the build-up to what promises to be the greatest season we have ever witnessed. Post comments and share rumours you've heard. We will be back with you.
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