‘Beaver’ Perez a real workhorse in United attack

LET’S get one thing straight because everyone chunters on about how Rafa Benitez loves to get it right at the back.

Yes he does, but Rafa isn’t purely a defensive coach. United are now a very decent side to watch even for the neutrals. They have proved their Premier League pedigree.

I thought Newcastle were a joy at Southampton and desperately unlucky not to win.

They close down quickly from the front when they haven’t got the ball – Ayoze Perez works like a beaver – and they are well-drilled but when they get possession they spread like a fan and attack the opposition at pace.

United are good to watch going forward, never mind defending their goal. Organised but not boring.

I know that Crystal Palace got a fabulous result beating champions Chelsea last time out but I believe Newcastle will have too much for them. If they stay solid and are patient they will get their just reward. Rafa has got a good team with only one weakness. It’s short of a quality player up top. Signing one is a must come January. I don’t want to have a pop at Joselu all the time but I must tell it as I see it and he doesn’t contribute enough. I don’t just mean goals I mean leading the line. At times Perez was working for the both of them at St Mary’s. There used to be a fella in my last Newcastle team called Geoff Nulty. He was loved by the manager Gordon Lee but honestly didn’t contribute much. Oh, he ran around like a deer but that was it. I recall us beating Liverpool by four goals, massacring them, and he had four touches. Joselu is a bit like that.

I’m delighted it’s Mike Ashley who is getting out and not Rafa. It appeared it might be the other way round not so long ago.

United need Benitez but they don’t need Ashley.

We’ve all known for some time that the owner would sell as long as he got the asking price but now it’s official. Good.

Let’s get the sale done as quickly as possible and begin establishing United as a footballing force in this country. They ought to be and can be in the right hands.

One of their biggest assets on the market is that they have a worldclass manager in place. He hasn’t to be found. He’s here already. All he needs is the right support.

By the way all my memorabilia from my playing days – England caps, shirts etc – are going under the hammer on Monday morning.

Any Newcastle fans interested – and I know there are quite a few who are – can find out exactly what is up for auction and make their bids by going to Stacey’s Auctioneers and Valuers.