1996-97 Season - March

Graham Souness' Saints were one off the bottom of the table when they visited St James' having lost 9 of their 12 away games thus far. Old boy Alan Nielson was in the visitors side and Asprilla replaced the "groined" Shearer.

Although United controlled the play they were regularly getting caught by long balls over the top.

And in the 55th minute a 60 yard punt from Van Gobbel found Matt Le Tissier and he scored his customary goal against us from the edge of the area.

United laid siege to the visitors goal but they couldn't find a way through. It was the first time they had failed to score at home that season.

More bad news was that both Ferdinand and Beardsley picked up injuries.

French League leaders Monaco - with Jean Tigana at the helm - provided tough European opposition for United. The tie was made even more difficult as Ferdinand and Beardsley joined Shearer on the injured list and Asprilla was suspended.

It meant a recall for Ginola who had just whined on clubcall that "I didn't come to Newcastle to be a substitute and if the manager doesn't put you in the team you maybe have to say 'bye-bye'.

Both sides made plenty of chances with the Frenchman adopting a swift counter attacking style. The only goal of the game arrived just before the hour from Brazilian "Sonny" Anderson thus denying United a share of the spoils.

After the game Ginola was back in the papers again. "Dalglish doesn't have confidence in me and I don't want to be mucked about. I want to be happy and I'm not going to pout because a bloke doesn't pick me to play. If he doesn't want me I'll leave at the end of the season". This was followed by allegations that Dalglish and Ginola had been involved in a training ground "bust up"

For the second season in a row United lost to the odd goal in seven at Anfield; but this was a completely different game to that of almost a year ago. Dalglish adopted to play only one up front and hope to eke out a draw

His plans were soon in tatters and at half-time United were 3-0 down through goals from Mcmanaman, Berger and Fowler. It was all too much for one traveller who raced halfway across the pitch to throw his replica shirt into the face of the dour one.

In the second period Liverpool took their eye off the ball and somehow United pulled back to 3-3. David James fumbled a Gillespie shot from the edge of the area [70th] then a brilliant through ball from Ginola gave Asprilla a chance to chip in [86th] and Barton scrambled in a third.

But Newcastle being Newcastle they allowed Robbie Fowler to grab the winner in injury time.

Ferdinand came on as a sub but only lasted 11 minuted before his hamstring injury flared up again.

Coventry were in 16th place; just above the relegation zone but United were more wary after recent events

In the end a sparkling performance by Mr Asprilla culminating in a standing ovation after he was stretchered off saw United win in a canter.

The Colombian laid on Watson's opener [12th] and Lee's second [45th] before attracting a foul from Dublin which allowed Beardsley to score from the spot.

The European dream ended for another season as the playboys of Monaco - who included Barthez, Petit, Henry and future United player Dumas - proved much too strong for United's depleted side.

Constant first half pressure finally told just before the break when Legwinsky's long range effort took a slight deflection off Albert on it's way past Hislop.

In the second half it Benarbia added a second [50th] and curled in a third from a free-kick [65th]

Five days after their trip to The Millionaires Playground United found themselves in the less salubrious surroundings of Plough Lane.

United mustered only a couple of shots on target, but one of them was an excellent free-kick from Asprilla which found the net [82nd] to salvage a point from a game which The Dons largely controlled.

Following his transfer request Ginola found himself jeered by both sets of supporters.

We were now 11 points behind leaders Man U with only eight games remaining but Dalglish was refusing to throw in the towel. With just a touch of irony and with his usual deadpan delivery he claimed "We're still realistic title challengers. Of course United are favourites, and have the best chance, but that sort of gap has been overhauled before" .