It is possible, though, that they may shoot down Ferguson’s hat-trick seekers at Wembley on 22 May and, such was the determination in their ranks in the opening stages, you could have been excused for thinking FA Cup final day had come early. “I didn’t really want to play him,” Ferguson confided, “but he should be all right for Wednesday night.” So should Manchester United’s European challenge, according to Gullit, who as a player twice paraded the continent’s top club prize at the San Siro. Suffering from flu, the Dane was withdrawn from his last-line duties at half-time. “We couldn’t be going to Milan in better shape, to be honest.”Peter Schmeichel could have been in better shape yesterday. “The spirit we are showing deserves reward,” Ferguson said afterwards. Fortunately for them, Nolberto Solano’s 15th-minute free-kick proved to be the peak of Newcastle’s attacking endeavours.

But Ferguson’s men still had to battle for their three points, having fallen behind to a goal by the player known on Tyneside as “Nobby”. It might just be enough to catch Keegan’s England eye.Both goals were opportunist close-range efforts that came courtesy of Corporal Jones-class defending by the doddering home guard. They strengthened their hold on the Premiership’s pole position with Andy Cole twice hitting the bullseye at his favourite shooting gallery. The former Newcastle marksman scored in either half to take his strike record at St James’ to 50 goals in 48 games.

But, for now, Fergie’s trophy hunters are still going strong on all three fronts.They embark on their European Inter mission in the San Siro on Wednesday unbeaten in 17 matches and with domestic matters tidily in hand, having seen off Chelsea in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday night and come from behind to beat Ruud Gullit’s resurgent Newcastle team at St James’ Park yesterday afternoon. The double that Bob Paisley’s boys went on to complete after their FA Cup final defeat – the European Cup and the top- flight championship – would probably be seized with eager hands by the Manchester United manager if he was offered it. SIMON TURNBULL AT ST JAMES’ PARK

Newcastle United 1 Manchester United 2
Solano 16 Cole 25, 51Half-time: 1-1 Attendance: 36,500IT TOOK a freak deflection off Jimmy Greenhoff’s chest for the Liverpool treble-chasers of 1977 to be denied what Alex Ferguson has called “the impossible dream”. It seems that teacher bashing is popular and that the head of Ofsted is regarded as that activity made flesh That, and only that, is the reason why I want him to go.. Philip Gould, the focus group man, wrote in his recent book that Tony Blair knew that he had won the election when the Evening Standard published the headline “Labour will sack bad teachers”. But here, just in case anyone is interested, is my opinion of Mr Woodhead’s future. He exists to convince the public that New Labour is tough on teachers.