And United caretaker coach Richard Money has dismissed talk of a dressing room mutiny in the wake of Kevin Keegan's controversial departure.
Chris Hughton Thrown In At The Deep End!
And United caretaker coach Richard Money has dismissed talk of a dressing room mutiny in the wake of Kevin Keegan's controversial departure.
Academy director Money - who is taking care of first team affairs alongside caretaker boss Chris Hughton and youth coach Alan Thompson - says the players remain fully committed to United's cause after a turbulent week on Tyneside.
Money will continue to form part of a caretaker-management team charged with ensuring the club continues its steady progress on the pitch against a backdrop of discontent off it.
Money: "I'm convinced that the supporters will be behind the team on Saturday and it is so important that they are.
"I think that at the end of the day the supporters love their football club and I am totally comfortable that they will get behind the team on Saturday.
"This football club needs the supporters and the team to be as one, there is no doubt about that."
Some reports have claimed that United's players, who were all fiercely loyal to their former manager and his assistant Terry McDermott, are deeply unhappy at Keegan's treatment and are considering their long-term futures.
Money: "That has certainly not been the case. What we have to remember is that they are professional people - we have got a lot of experienced players and their attitude in training has been absolutely exemplary.
"The players not on international duty have been extremely bright in training over the last few days and their attitude has been nothing short of first class.
"I can't stress that enough. This is an important game for this football game and we can't afford to lose sight of that.
"I think the first few days are always difficult and it was tough for everyone involved. With it being international week that gave us the opportunity to keep the players away from it all, which was definitely a good thing.
"But with everything that has gone on we shouldn't forget that a four-point return from the first three games is a creditable return. It is important that we get the right result on Saturday because it's a very important game."