Returned exile Robson takes on his biggest fan Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON admits he was mystified why Bryan Robson spent so long out of top flight management.

Robson sends his West Brom side into battle against Manchester United at the Hawthorns today three weeks after ending a Premiership exile dating back to his departure from Middlesbrough in May 2001.

The former England skipper was praised and criticised in equal measure during his time at the Riverside, with his supporters pointing to three cup final appearances and an established place in the Premiership as evidence of his good work.

Robson’s detractors prefer to concentrate on his star-studded side’s relegation in 1997 and that all three finals actually ended in defeat. Ferguson, however, is among Robson’s supporters and even considered offering the Red Devils legend the assistant manager’s post when Carlos Queiroz departed for Real Madrid.

“I can never understand why people of Bryan’s quality find themselves out of the game for as long as he was,” Ferguson said.

“He did a great job at Middlesbrough. He was a great servant to me and a great player. We thought about him as an assistant here last season but he is a leader of men not a number two.”

Ferguson can already see his former player is making his presence felt and the Baggies have done the Scot a favour too, taking two points off Arsenal last weekend with an unexpected draw at Highbury.

“His team hasn’t let him down. They should have got something out of his first game at Middlesbrough, then they had the great result at Arsenal.”

Now that the celebrations surrounding his 1,000th game in charge of the Red Devils have subsided, Ferguson can concentrate his energies on trying to claw back a bit more of the nine-point deficit on current leaders Chelsea.

Three of his fitness concerns for this weekend will play today, with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs all due to head down the M6, but Gary and Phil Neville could be ruled out. Darren Fletcher is hoping to earn a recall on the right side of midfield, possibly at the expense of Alan Smith.

Surprisingly, United are looking for a third successive Premiership win for the first time this season. Having allowed Chelsea and Arsenal to open up an early lead, Ferguson accepts the triumphant trend must continue, even at the expense of one of the club’s most loyal servants.