Robson tips Man United for title

Former England manager Bobby Robson believes Manchester United will win the title following their 3-1 defeat of his Newcastle United side -- a result that moves the Reds ominously into second place.

United are now two points behind leaders Leeds United after a run of six unbeaten games that has catapulted them back into the title race.

Goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy -- his eighth in the last six games -- and a brace from Paul Scholes handed United a convincing victory over their rivals, for whom Alan Shearer scored the consolation.

"I like Arsenal, but Manchester United are my slight favourites," said Robson.

"The team that goes above them will win the league. They are slight favourites for me because they have a bit more than anyone else. They showed their hunger tonight. It was there right from the start."

But Robson insists his Newcastle team have a chance of winning the title despite the lack of depth to the squad.

"I have told the dressing room not to be too despondent," he said.

"We are level on points with Manchester United and when was the last time we said that? We are never going to take six points off them but we have got three so it's a straight split."

United manager Alex Ferguson claimed his side are still looking for charity from opponents to enjoy any chance of winning the league.

"I can believe the run we are on because I know we are capable of this," he said.

"I don't think anybody in the game would disagree that we could do this kind of run. But we have just got to hope the others keep making mistakes to give us a chance.

"Hopefully we can take our chances and we will see in April. It's nip and tuck and I wouldn't rule Newcastle out of the running either," he said.

GIGGS INJURED

Ferguson defended his decision to demote David Beckham to the bench in favour of Nicky Butt and revealed Ryan Giggs was injured.

"David did well on Sunday, but it was difficult to say to Nicky after how he's played in last six games that I wanted to leave him out.

"Ryan felt his hamstring before the game. I don't know how serious it is -- it could be a week or ten days."

United were gifted an opener by slack marking in the Newcastle penalty area that allowed Van Nistelrooy to head home Mikael Silvestre's cross from the left.

They had to wait until after the interval to score a second goal, but it was a crafted with great quality from inside their own half.

Butt's 50th minute pass down the left was perfectly weighted for Silvestre to cut inside and find Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who fed Scholes to slot home.

Scholes, playing on the left flank, touched home the third in the 62nd minute after a powerful run from Roy Keane deep into the Newcastle area ended with a square pass across the area to his team-mate.

Shearer proved he is still a top class striker by scoring on his 200th Newcastle appearance -- although surprisingly only his first goal against United at Old Trafford in his career -- by outjumping Gary Neville.

Earlier Newcastle had an equaliser controversially ruled out by referee Peter Jones, who penalised Nolberto Solano for a push on Silvestre.