ALAN SHEARER has challenged Newcastle's young stars to become the new Manchester United.
The Magpies' skipper threw down the gauntlet on the eve of today's mammoth clash at Old Trafford.
Shearer snubbed the chance to be a pivotal figure in the Red Devils' evolutionary process under Sir Alex Ferguson, joining his beloved Newcastle instead when he left Blackburn Rovers in a then-world record £15m deal over six years ago.
At the time, Fergie's fledglings were already flying high after landing a League and FA Cup double en route to even greater glories.
But the winds of change are blowing, Man. United's proud plumage has been ruffled, Arsenal are in the ascendant and a ravenous chasing pack, including Newcastle, threaten to swallow up the former champions.
Fifth-placed Man. United have won only one of their last five Premiership games and in-form Newcastle, a point and one spot behind, know that victory today would see them overhaul Ferguson's side - with a game in hand.
Imbued with belief by Sir Bobby Robson, who this week received his knighthood from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace, Newcastle have royally advanced into the last 16 of the Champions League along with Man. United and Arsenal.
The Geordies' future is in the hands of the likes of Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Jenas and Hugo Viana.
And, in Robson's rookies, 32-year-old Shearer sees similar promise to that which blossomed so spectacularly at Old Trafford.
"The signs are there,'' said Shearer. "We have tremendous young players. A lot of players have been great at 21 or 22 and haven't made it.
"But you look at the Man. United side and people like David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary and Phil Neville, and they've all gone on to great things.
"The potential is here at Newcastle, but whether it's as great as Man. United had remains to be seen.
"We hope that over the coming years, the talent here grows into something like it has at Man. United.
"If it goes anywhere near, it will be a tremendous jump, because the success they've had with the nucleus of those youngsters has been terrific.
"That has to be the challenge for us because we have the basis with the stadium, the fans and a tremendous manager. The rest is up to the young players now.
"The experienced lads, like me, have to stay focused and we have to try to lead the way in terms of performances and results.''
Shearer is on a double mission today as he prepares for his traditional pasting from the Old Trafford faithful.
Newcastle haven't beaten Man. United on their own patch for over 30 years - a run of 19 matches.
And Geordie icon Shearer is one goal short of 100 in the Premiership for his club.
If he scores, it will also be the 100th Newcastle game in all competitions in which he has netted.
It all amounts to a tall order, especially as Shearer had to wait until last season for his first-ever League goal at Old Trafford, in Newcastle's 3-1 defeat.
But he is convinced the Magpies can banish their hoodoo. "Newcastle's record there hasn't been great and, personally, it hasn't been a great ground either,'' conceded Shearer.
"But name me a side that has a good record at Old Trafford over the past ten years or so.
"I get my fair share of stick wherever I go, but I've never heard a crowd boo bad players, so I take it as a compliment when I go there.
"It would give me more satisfaction to get three points than to get the goal. The points are far more important. My goal will come, whether it comes here or in two months' time. I'm not concerned about it.
"What I am concerned about is getting something out of the game, which I feel we can do.
"Confidence in our camp is very high because of recent results.
"I think we are more capable of doing it now because of what has happened this season and last season.
"We got into the Champions' League by finishing fourth last season and we have to aim to get into the top four again - and stay there.
"I think we are better equipped now to go to Old Trafford and get a result.
"But you always have to be wary when talking about past champions. If you say they are on the decline, it will come back to haunt you.
"Any team with people like Scholes, Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron, are going to be hard to beat.''
Shearer is clinging to the dream that one day he will lift a trophy for Newcastle.
"At the moment, we've only had success on a small scale,'' he said. "I believe we can win silverware and we've already come close.
"But if you're asking me whether I have any regrets about coming to Newcastle instead of Man. United, the answer is no.
"We still have some way to go to match Arsenal - they are the benchmark now. We went to Highbury recently and got nothing, so Old Trafford has to be different. We know we can't afford too many slip-ups, otherwise the pack will pull away.
"Man. United have had horrendous injuries and any side missing Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Beckham and one or two others, is bound to have a lean spell.
"But the sign of a good side is when they are down they bounce back, and we have to be wary of that.''
Shearer is also only one booking away from a ban. He said: "I wouldn't say I'm worried, but I've thought about it. I've been booked twice for dissent this season, but I've only been booked for that three or four times in my career, so I don't have a problem.''
Meanwhile, Dyer - subject of an audacious approach from Old Trafford two seasons ago - is poised for his 100th Newcastle start in all competitions.
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