GLAZERS CUT COSTS FURTHER AS TRANSFER DEADLINE LOOMS

Giuseppe Rossi is expected to join Newcastle United on loan from Manchester United today. Sir Alex Ferguson has spent the past 48 hours weighing up requests from Newcastle, Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion to borrow the 19-year-old striker and has seemingly decided Rossi will fare best under Glenn Roeder's management.

During a conversation with Ferguson this week Roeder stressed his excellent record in developing young players such as Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe at West Ham United, and he has apparently persuaded Ferguson to do business.

The only thing that could prompt a last-minute change of heart is any concerns Ferguson may harbour about being left with only four strikers: Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Alan Smith.

Although Ferguson, who was initially unsure whether to allow his fifth-choice striker to leave Old Trafford at the end of a summer which has seen the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy, did not relish having to say no to Mark Hughes at Blackburn and Bryan Robson at West Brom, two of his former players who had also requested the player on loan, he was impressed by Roeder's plans for Rossi.

Ferguson confirmed the move:

“It was a big decision for us especially as we don't have the choice of strikers. But this is something that Giuseppe wanted as he needs regular first-team football.

“When he returns, he will be a more experienced player who will be able to offer us much more.”