THE last time Newcastle United won at Manchester United, Ronny Radford had scored one of the most memorable FA Cup goals ever to help Hereford United defeat the Magpies seven days earlier. Danny Simpson is aware of such a record, but was not even born until 15 years later.

Given Simpson's age, he is 24 now, it highlights just how long Newcastle have had to wait for success at Old Trafford. Granted, it has not been the easiest of places to go during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, but reversing the trend would sit proudly on the player's CV.

As a born and bred United fan, from the Red Devils heartland of Salford, Simpson has taken note of the regular runs of defeats which Newcastle have endured during the last three decades.

But to be part of a Newcastle team sitting pretty in fourth place despite losing at leaders Manchester City a week ago, fills the full-back with confidence that his former club are unlikely to have it all their own way.

"I have heard it's 39 years or something like that," said Simpson. "It's time to change that but Newcastle have had some great games with them over the years. The main thing is that we believe we can actually get something. Last year maybe we didn't have that belief but this season is different."

After losing at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday, it leads to the question of which trip is the most daunting for a player forming part of a team occupying a Champions League place?

"Not sure," he said. "It's all about going to Old Trafford. It's a place where teams find it very hard to get results. We know how good City have been but we have taken some real confidence from last week.

"We did quite well - they had two penalties and we let in a soft goal. On another day we would have taken our chances and got something from it. Whatever team they play it is a tough ask - they know how to win but we are confident we can go there in compete.

"We will have a go, of course. That is what the manager here is all about, he believes in us and has told us to be confident because of the position we are in right now.

"We are a good, hard working team with players who can score goals, so there is no reason not to go to United, take the game to them and see how they react."

Returning to Old Trafford will always hold a special place in Simpson's heart, so this afternoon's first competitive appearance since leaving will be a memorable occasion - made sweeter if Newcastle can win.

The right-back, who played in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's testimonial after he left, missed out on an appearance there last season through injury, meaning his last ‘real' game was the FA Cup victory over Tottenham in January 2008.

Despite playing in the Champions League and League Cup, he did only make three league appearances, so he had accepted his time was up before Ferguson called him to say he could leave.

"You sort of know in the back of your mind when it's time but some part of me was still hoping I could be in and around it," said Simpson, who remains close friends with Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling.

"But I knew, at the time for my benefit, to have the best career I could, it was about the right time to move and kick on - especially when I got the phone call from Newcastle.

"They're such a massive club. It was probably an easier decision than I thought because of the history of the club and how big the club are. Sir Alex is like a dad, not just to players. He's a top man. He's a legend. He just said to me it's time and he thought if I progressed like he thought then I'll do alright."

Simpson first joined United at the age of 11, after an unsuccessful trial at Manchester City. It was during those younger days that he got to see his heroes at close hand.

He said: "The United class of '92 were my heroes. Those ones who came through: Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Beckham and Giggs. Probably more so Becks. When I started watching he was doing really well then.

"When I was younger I had a few trials with other clubs. I looked at a picture the other day - I put it on Twitter I think - of my team when I was 12. It's funny because there's Fraizer Campbell, Ashley Grimes and Danny Guthrie in it as well. It was good to look back at those memories. I still see some of those lads around Manchester. They're good memories I'll never forget."