Fergie lavishes praise on Toon boss Pardew

Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the remarkable job Alan Pardew has done at Newcastle. 

Pardew has guided Newcastle to fourth in the table and they only suffered their first league defeat at Manchester City on Saturday. 

Pardew brings the Toon to Old Trafford on Saturday and Fergie is delighted to see him doing so well after he says he has harshly sacked by West Ham and Southampton in his two previous posts. 

"Alan's done a great job at Newcastle," said the United manager. "I've always respected Alan Pardew, I've always rated him. 

"I think he was unfairly treated at West Ham and at Southampton. It was ridiculous actually. He took West Ham to the FA Cup final and was one minute away from winning the Cup. He was so unlucky." 

Ferguson watched Newcastle's recent draw against Tottenham at St James' Park and claims his side face a tough match on Saturday afternoon in a rare three o'clock kick-off at Old Trafford. 

"He's galvanised them and got them fighting for each other," he said. "I watched their recent 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham and it was a great game, end to end, with both teams trying to win. 

"There was a really good attitude among both sets of players. They were fighting for every ball. 

"When you've got a Newcastle team doing that, with their great support behind them, you know you're going to get a difficult game."