Man Utd under Fergie were the worst losers – I remember the joke Shearer made when Roy Keane swung for him
MANCHESTER UNITED under Sir Alex Ferguson were the worst losers, according to ex-Newcastle star Warren Barton.
The 53-year-old reminisced over the time he played against the Red Devils in 2001, when Newcastle beat them 4-3.
The classic game is remembered for the bust-up between Alan Shearer and Roy Keane, which resulted in the Irishman getting sent off.
The Man Utd captain threw the ball angrily at the Newcastle striker and the pair exchanged words, leading to Keane hitting Shearer and receiving a red card.
Speaking on the day, Barton said: “Shearer said ‘by the way, where were you lot when it all kicked off with Roy Keane at the end?’
“The fact is, Big Al was very capable of looking after himself. He didn’t need anyone. It’s no secret that there was no love lost between the pair.
“Shearer had just celebrated wildly around St James’ after his goalbound shot had been bungled in by Wes Brown for an own goal to put us 4-3 up.
“Clearly it really wound up the opposition players. Keane and the rest of that United team were the worst losers.
“During those years, Fergie’s teams suffered so few defeats over an incredible era of title-winning campaigns.
“The fact Shearer had turned down United twice to join Toon meant there was always a bit of needle when the two clubs met.
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“It was huge relief to us because we knew at that moment [Keane’s red card] they wouldn’t come back from that — and the three points were ours.
“I was just returning from an injury so started on the bench.
But when Rob Lee suffered a knock in the first half — having scored our second goal — my instruction was to sit in midfield and contain the United threat.
“That’s all very good but when you’ve got the likes of Keano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs hitting you from every direction that’s no easy task.
“I vividly remember in a quiet moment in the second half I actually asked Scholesey: ‘How many players have you actually got on the pitch?’
“They were everywhere. It’s a privilege to look back and talk about these matches.
“These were crown jewel Premier League games and even though this was 22 years ago, I can remember it as though it was yesterday.
“I’m convinced the roar of St James’ fans that day got us over the line. Those supporters and the atmosphere that stadium generates always made such a difference.
“I count myself lucky to have played in games when we had two management giants in Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson — men who set the benchmark for today’s top bosses like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
“When I came on at the break we were 2-1 up. As soon as Nikos Dabizas rammed home our third just seven minutes into the second half, we thought the two-goal cushion could possibly be enough.
“But within a blink of an eye it was 3-3 after Giggs and Veron hit two goals in two minutes just after the hour. That is how good they were. They never knew when they were beaten.
“But when Al made it 4-3 with eight minutes left — via that final touch from Wes Brown — we hoped that would finally be the goal that killed them off.
“Then the spat erupted between Shearer and Keano. We knew United were done and we could celebrate a famous win.”