Blasphemy! A wee club in the north-east threaten sir Alex Ferguson's dominance!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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2026/27 - Can he do it one more last time?


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.
 

Newcastle move swiftly to close deals for two top youngsters!

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Rob Lee
Published at 1:12PM, June 09 2026

Newcastle have signed young duo Berkay Sezer and Tom Riley. Sezer, 18, joins the club from Turkish giants Besiktas in a £5,5m deal agreed months ago. The youngster was given his first-team debut in season 2024/25 and went on to play 26 times in Turkish Premier Division, assisting for 5 goals in the process. Even at this fragile age Berkay already received international recognition and is the current vice-captain of the Turkey U-21 team. The enthusiastic midfielder spoke of his pride to join the Magpies and accepts he is facing a long walk to the first team. "It's a privilege to come to England. I already spoke to the manager and he assured me I will be going on loan to get used to football here as soon as possible. I am okay with that. The most important thing right now is to play and learn." Sezer admits he knows little English but appreciates coach Julien Faubert's help and has already booked private lessons.

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Berkay Sezer

And while Sezer's transfer comes as little surprise, the signing of rivals Manchester United's young fullback Tom Riley, 15, raised some eyebrows. Riley is a part of an impressive youth setup and one of Sir Alex Ferguson's "new generation of British footballers" and the Devils will be upset to lose him for a measly fee of just £1,5m. Tom spoke of his decision in a direct manner: "Respect Sir Alex? He tells me I'm going to be a star, a special one. Next thing he tells four of the lads at the Academy they will be playing first team football this season but for me it's too soon. I will make him regret that decision!" Manager Hristov will certainly have some work to do to deal with Riley's character but he comes with a low fee and the extra incentive of poaching your rivals.


This isn't the first time Hristov buys from Manchester United. The Reds still haven't forgotten the transfers of Shinji Kagawa in 2015 and Robin van Persie in 2014 which lead to protests from the fans.


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2015 protests
 
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Joseph Barton @Joey7Barton what a tool @ Marseilles can you believe 1m

England in one group with Brazil, Germany and India. No fan of Villas-Boas
but effin time we win something #WorldCup2026

Expand
 

Euro champions in Argentina to
win World Cup
Octopus Paul John XXIII predicts Spanish glory
instead, bookmakers agree

U135P200T1D327907F8DT20100706041115.jpg
Paul John XXIII
View attachment 343423
Posted by
Robbie Savage
Tuesday 9 June 2026
21.59 BST
The Guardian
Jump to comments (3117)

We draw our attention away from the transfer window
to follow the events in Argentina, hosts of the World
Cup 2026.

England fans will be on their nails as yet another pundit
writes their chances off before the World Cup kicks off.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas can do little more to prove
his doubters wrong after winning the latest European
Championship in 2024. Twitter celebrity Joey Barton
recently criticized the manager and now world-famous
octopus Paul John XXIII has predicted Spain will win
the Cup. Surprisingly the very next day bookmakers
supported this claim by making Spain 6-4 favourites.
Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Italy follow at 2-1 and
France are valued 5-2.
a
England Group
a
Villas-Boas refuses to panic over the tough group and
remains confident in England chances to finally bring
the World Cup home. He leads what is undoubtedly the
most talented squad England has ever seen.

We will be pinning our hopes to Newcastle goalkeeper
Paulo Villalobos and Leeds veteran Phil Jones to keep
us out of trouble. Jack Wilshere and Shola Shoretire
from Manchester United will be pulling the strings in
midfield with energetic support from Newcastle's
Scotty Walden and Michael Toase. Jim Priestley, also
from Newcastle, will hope to keep the prolific scoring
form which got him the 2025/26 Premiership top
scorer award.

In the meantime U.S.A. manager Dimiter Hristov will
try to get his team one round further than last time
in 2022 when the States won the 3rd place playoff
against then-reigning champions Colombia. He has
vowed to take advantage of a significantly easier
group and keep his players fresh for the latter stages.
Bookmakers predict a tough campaign by valuing
U.S.A. 18-1 to win the Cup.
a
U.S.A. Group
a
England fans will be familiar with a lot of the U.S.A.
players since no less than 11 of them ply their trade
in the Premiership.
 
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This lookes amazing! I really like the way you're setting this up. Will definitely be following some more! :)
 
View attachment 343542

Foxes sign Ramsey

Leicester are glad to announce Aaron Ramsey as their new assistant manager. Ramsey fits the desired profile freshly appointed manager Andriy Yarmolenko was looking for - a player with vast experience in the game yet hungry to prove himself on a new level.

Ramsey had spells as a player with Leeds United, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City and has 103 caps for Wales.

He will be joining a Leicester setup that already includes renowned faces like Steven Pienaar and George McCartney. Leicester will be looking to bounce back in the Premiership after ending 20th in the 2025/26 season.
 
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World Cup Day 12
Preview

Group A Final Games​

View attachment 343741iiEcuador - TurkeyiiView attachment 343744
China- flag-live-blog-001.jpg
View attachment 343742iiiiiiJapan - HollandiView attachment 343743

Group A Table

PositionTeamGFGAPTS
1View attachment 343743Holland

6

1

4
2View attachment 343744Turkey

4

3

4
3View attachment 343742Japan
5

3

3
4View attachment 343741Ecuador

0

8

0


Group B Final Games

View attachment 343747iiiiiiiiiiiChina - CamerooniiiView attachment 343748

View attachment 343750iiiMiiNorway - ArgentinaiiiiView attachment 343749

Group B Table

PositionTeamGFGAPTS
1View attachment 343747China*

5

2

6
2View attachment 343750Norway

5

6

3
3View attachment 343748Cameroon
2

3

1
4View attachment 343749Argentina

0

1

1
 
View attachment 343767
World Cup Day 13

Group A Final Games​

PositionTeamGFGAPTS

1
View attachment 343761Holland*

7

1

7

2
View attachment 343762Turkey*

7

3

7

3

5

4

3

4

0

11

0
Group B Final Games​

View attachment 343765iiiiiiiiiiiChina - CamerooniiiView attachment 343764
1-2
View attachment 343757

View attachment 343766iiiMiiNorway - ArgentinaiiiiView attachment 343763
0-2

View attachment 343758


Group B Final Table
PositionTeamGFGAPTS

1

6

4

6

2

2


1

4

3
View attachment 343764Cameroon
4

4

4

4

5

8

3

 
Top