Newcastle United legend reveals the game all Magpies supporters want to discuss with him

Newcastle United legend Les Ferdinand has named the Magpies memorable 5-0 win over Manchester United as one of the games that ‘changed his life’.

The former Magpies striker spoke to FourFourTwo and identified one of the most iconic games during United’s time as a Premier League club as a standout moment in his long career in the game.

The heavyweight clash came just months after Sir Alex Ferguson’s side mounted a remarkable comeback to pip Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ to the Premier League title.

Revenge was in the air on a rain-sodden Tyneside afternoon in October 1996 as the Magpies romped to a big win over the Red Devils.

It all started with a Darren Peacock header that crept over the line at the Gallowgate End - but there was no doubt about United’s second goal as mercurial winger David Ginola crashed a power effort beyond Peter Schmeichel to give his side a two-goal lead at half-time.

Ferdinand made it three when he rose to head home an Alan Shearer cross before the Geordie frontman got himself on the scoresheet to make it four.

There was to be one more iconic moment as Belgian defender Philippe Albert strode forward to round off a patient passing move by dinking a sumptuous chip over Schmeichel to give the Magpies a five-goal win.

Ferdinand recalled a truly remarkable day and revealed it is the game United supporters all want to take about when he meets them.

He told FourFourTwo: “At one stage of the 1995/96 season, Newcastle had been 12 points clear of Manchester United in January (having played a game more).

“Man United famously closed that gap and went on to win the league by four points, then absolutely humiliated us 4-0 in the Charity Shield that summer.

“I always remember Kevin Keegan’s team talk shortly before the home match with them the following season.

“He said, ‘You owe all of these fans’, after they had clapped us off at Wembley when we really didn’t deserve it.

“Every player was so determined to win that afternoon, and what a performance it was – I headed the third goal from Alan Shearer’s cross.

“Whenever I speak to Newcastle supporters, that’s the game they bring up.”