Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for
allowing United's highly-rated Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi to
move to St James' Park.
The 19-year-old Italian Under21 is currently on international duty,
but will join up with his team-mates ahead of Newcastle's next
Premiership fixture against Fulham on 9 September.
The Magpies completed the transfer of Rossi late on Wednesday
night, and Roeder was delighted to have secured the capture of
Rossi on a four-month loan deal ahead of other interested clubs,
with Mark Hughes at Blackburn and Bryan Robson at West Brom also
keen on taking Rossi.
"A lot of other Premiership clubs wanted Giuseppe and I suppose
some people will be surprised that we have got him," Roeder said.
"But I must thank Sir Alex for his part in this because I really
believe that he has done us a big favour."
Sir Alex had initially stated that Rossi would spend this season at
the club earning his stripes in the first-team. But the manager had
a change of tact and decided that the former Parma youth player
would benefit more from first-team experience elsewhere.
"Alex would have been happy to keep him because he is undoubtedly
one of Uniteds top, top youngsters," Roeder revealed. "In fact, I
have to say that Giuseppes goalscoring record for United Reserves
is nothing short of phenomenal."
