Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Newcastle United counterpart Alan Pardew.

Newcastle caused Manchester City problems last weekend before eventually surrendering their unbeaten record and in Pardew have a manager Ferguson rates extremely highly.

"Everyone has been taken by Newcastle's start to the season and the credit must go to Alan Pardew," said Ferguson.

"When he was at Reading we gave him Luke Chadwick on loan. He was first-class in terms of the information he was giving us. He is very meticulous.

"He has grasped the nettle at Newcastle very well and they are all working like Trojans up there."