Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Newcastle only have themselves to blame for almost four decades of chronic underachievement.

The Manchester United boss was expecting to meet up with Sam Allardyce at Old Trafford on Saturday, only for his old friend to get the sack on Wednesday, just 24 games into his St James' Park reign.

Ferguson has already spoken to Allardyce, who was as surprised as most of the football fraternity beyond Tyneside, unable to comprehend the need for such a knee-jerk reaction.

It means Newcastle have now got rid of 10 managers during Ferguson's 21 years with the Red Devils, including some of the biggest names in the game, none of whom have achieved any tangible success.

And the Scot - who took almost four years to win his first trophy at United - feels the Magpies' misery will only continue until they learn to stand by their men.

"The expectation levels at Newcastle are too great, a lot of people are saying that now," said Ferguson.

"When you analyse the situation up there, it is beyond belief.

"They have had two managers who have won World Cups - Jack Charlton and Ossie Ardiles - as players, four who have won the European Cups as players - Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Graeme Souness - and Sir Bobby Robson, who took England to the World Cup semi-finals.

"You would think one of them would have won something given the right time.

"I don't know what you can say about the situation up there but it is a strange club."