That we didn’t was once again down to downright appalling defending on both goals, but particularly the second, which was horrific even by our dismal standards.

I thought we were well-organised tonight, tried to hold possession, and gave “the world’s best team” one hell of a contest. What utterly confuses me is why we can look like a decent team v ManU after looking like a bunch of clowns only three days ago at bliddy Bolton.

In addition to scoring, and concurrently spoiling Van der Saar’s record cleansheet attempt (hee, hee!), we created several half chances in the 1st half with players seemingly reluctant to throw their bodies at excellent crosses hit between their back four and the keeper.

On their part, apart from picking the ball out of the net twice, and dealing with a number of corners – not always that well – Harper didn’t have a whole lot to do. He made a fairly comfortable save from Rooney late in the game, and tipped one fierce shot over the bar, but we were never under seige.

I thought Martins had a smashing game, foraging largely on his own, but keeping Rio and Vidic on their toes throughout. Lovenkrands played a deep lying role, supplementing the midfield, but covered acres of ground, and I thought he had a very decent game.

The midfield of Smith and Geremi, supplemented by Ryan Taylor and Lovenkrands were able to keep things under reasonable control, although they began to run out of steam towards the end.

Unfortunately, Ryan Taylor made the critical error when trying to chest the ball back to Harper and leaving it short. What happened then is a bit of a blur, because our defenders seemed to stop as though the whistle had blown when the ball seemed eminently clearable.

While they dithered, ManU played on, and scored one of the softest goals you will ever see at any level. Very, very disappointing – especially as we defended well for long periods, and kept Dangermouse and Berbatov relatively quiet. Rooney was lively, and a constant threat.

Bassong and Enrique played well. Jonas worked his gonads off, got a few kicks for his trouble, but too often ran down blind alleys for me, and didn’t create enough.

Another defeat, another game less to play, and we are slipping inexorably into serious trouble. However, a lot of positives can be taken from that performance. Much of the improvement for me was down to better ball retention, we held as many balls as a game of internet bingo!, which gives you more control in the game.

I sincerely hope that is the lesson to be learned going into the remaining games. Geremi and Smith certainly didn’t play blinders, but they achieved a lot by holding their positions, and playing it simple, and passing to feet – usually, if not always.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding who will be where at the beginning of next season. The fact that the squad hasn’t been added to yet this summer is bad enough, but throw in the scenario that Joey Barton is in jail, Mark Viduka is injured (surprise, surprise) and Geremi and Abdoulaye Faye are risking injury in World Cup qualifiers – you’d be forgiven for being a bit apprehensive about the start of next season. Even first team coach – Steve Round – is uncertain he will stay beyond his current deal which expires next week.

A good start is crucial for Keegan’s men next season. Fair enough, there were some positive signs at the end of last season, but a bad start to this coming season could see Newcastle follow a similar run of defeats that plagued Keegan’s first nine games in charge. It doesn’t exactly help that the Magpies start at Old Trafford in a game you would bet on Manchester United to win. Then, after a home game against Bolton, it’s another tough away game, this time against Arsenal.

If Keegan doesn’t make any significant signings before these games and Newcastle suffer their normal injury crisis, it could be the awful start to the campaign that Newcastle fans have nightmares about. Like I said, a positive start, even if it is just in the performance is crucial. Keegan and the fans need to be singing from the same hymn sheet and if a bad start is made – this might not happen.

Two men who are key to Newcastle’s success are Steven Taylor and Michael Owen. First of all, they need to stay fit. Secondly, they need to tie up new contracts. Both these players, along with Steve Harper, see their deals expire in 12 months time and the last thing Newcastle need is speculation about players’ future when the January transfer windows come around. It must be one of Keegan’s highest priorities to tie these players – particularly Owen – down to a long term deal.

There has, of course, been rumours about players coming into the club on a daily basis. However, most of it has been ‘paper talk’ with no real substance. More worryingly, the more significant speculation has involved players leaving the club. James Milner has been linked with a move to Liverpool and fans’ favourite Oba Martins is apparently a target for both Manchester United and Arsenal.

Transfer rumours aside, realistically, the target for Newcastle next season is a top ten finish. That would be a nice improvement. If you were to bet on the Premier League you’d be safe in saying that the ‘big four’ will occupy the top four and if Newcastle could finish in the top six of the next mini-league then I think that would be a decent enough season. Throw in a piece of silverware and it would be an excellent season.

Keegan is, as ever, remaining positive. He believes he can get stuck into the current problems and help Newcastle begin next season well. In my view, all he needs is a little bit of luck – he has the passion and knowledge. He needs a transfer coup to come off, he needs Owen and Viduka to stay fit and he needs the fans on his side from the start. 3-0 win at Old Trafford on the opening day anyone?

Thomas Rooney – Freelance Sports Journalist

In contrast to what happened around 12 years ago when we were the side who is in the title race with Sir Alex side, last night, Sir Alex backed his old ‘enemy’ Kevin Keegan to upset Avram Grant’s Chelsea side and help him to win the title this year.

“The way Chelsea have been talking, it’s as if it’s going to be easy up there. We know from our experience it won’t be that way,” Ferguson said. “I know Newcastle will do their job honestly in the same way West Ham did. You take Dean Ashton – he was a United fan as a kid – but he scored a goal that could have killed our hopes.”

The truth is, we have nothing to fight for actually in our last two matches this season. We are already securing our place in Premier League next season. But, in my opinion, it’s just a great bonus if we can win our last two games against the team that wears Blue shirt, especially Chelsea.

For tomorrow’s game, Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel or Claude Makelele will have difficult job to mark our skipper. If they do that there are certainly more big problems for their side as they will required another extra players to cover the other areas from Mark Viduka and Oba Martins.

This game will also be a great chance to test our three-pronged attackers against a team with solid defensive cohesion like Chelsea. Keegan’s diamond formation has never been tested against any of the top four side, so Chelsea could be one of them to taste the defeat against United’s transformations.

While we all really know we aren’t on the same planet as ManU nowadays, to be fair, they tried – surely the very minimum we should expect?

Until the final 15-20 minutes, we actually gave them a game, but shot ourselves in the foot at regular intervals, most of their goals being the result of individual errors, or individual errors being massively contributory – much as we’ve been doing all season, in fact.

In the last 15-20 minutes, after the 3rd went, yet again we lost all shape and ran around chasing the ball like schoolboys, with the inevitable consequences.

I said after last weeks humiliation that it was highly unlikely we could improve if KK persevered playing 4-4-2 with Butt and Barton in central midfield – and today provided further evidence, if we needed it.

Butt ran himself into the ground, and was a mix a good and bad, but I wouldn’t criticise him too much. Barton was s***e; and the crowd began to turn on him in the 2nd half.

We defended pathetically as a team. It doesn’t really matter who we play in the back four when they get so little protection from our non-existent midfield.

I lost count of the number of times a ManU player picked up the ball in midfield with no Black ‘N White shirt within 15 yards of him, run at the back four unchallenged, and have a choice of 2 of 3 team-mates to pick out with a pass.

Barton gave one goal away, Taylor another and Smith another. Given stood rooted to his line as the ball was played across the 6yd box on the 1st two goals, his kicking as usual was hopeless, and we needed to waste one sub when he failed to appear for the 2nd half.

Smith worked tirelessly, and even had a decent shot saved. Owen was on the pitch. Carroll was a bit of an improvement.

Another very sad day in the continuing demise of the club we all love, and I rather doubt even The Messiah can turn these lumps into bread and fishes.

Keegan said Newcastle has benefit ahead of Saturday’s fixture with Manchester United from last weekend FA Cup’s day off.

“We have to try to get the balance right in the break and I believe it will be a good thing,” Special K told Newcastle World TV. “By the time we come to Man Utd we would have had everyone together for the first time.”

“Geremi is now back and I’ve now met all of the lads and have got to know everyone that little bit better during the break. The lads have been very focussed and we’ve got through some good work.” King Kev added more.

Keegan has told his squad to get along with what we have until the end of the season. He also challenged the Toon players to make the best of that, and start “nailing down” first-team spots. King Kev hasn’t make any decision of who are his strongest XI.

“We need a win. That’s all we lack at the moment. The confidence will come flowing back and the football will get better and the players will start to trust each other that little bit more.”

“I said to the players ‘There’s no-one nailing much down in terms of the first-team’,” explained Keegan. “Usually you have seven, eight or nine who are definite regulars. But that’s an incentive for everyone at the club to get in the team.”

Keegan said he will also open the door for United’s young players. The young guys have got the future at Newcastle and it’s down to them as much as it is to the club.

One of those promising young starlets that has special attention from Keegan is the Hungary under-21 defender Tamas Kadar.

“Tamas Kadar has taken everything in his stride. He does not speak the language but he is learning one or two things.” King Kev explained, “But on a football field where there is a language all of its own he is saying all the right things.”

United also have Fabio Zamblera who signed from Atalanta, Ben Tozer and Wesley Ngo Baheng comes in, and Keegan believes they are keep learning something new every day and can be the next United’s star when they time is finally arrived.