When Kinnear first took on the job as director of football, it had been planned that the ex-Wimbledon boss would be taking a place in the main stand at Fir Park for United’s first friendly of the summer against Motherwell.
But with managing director Derek Llambias now long since departed from the crazy world of the black and whites, the executive seats in the old wooden stand at Motherwell that were allocated to United were left empty.
It was at the club’s Academy that Kinnear ran the rule over a youthful United XI as they went down 3-0 to Scottish First Division outfit Hamilton Academical.
Kinnear met United’s reserve team chief Willie Donachie and watched on as promising youngsters like Rolando Aarons, Alex Gilliehead and Greg Olley took on a full- strength Hamilton outfit.
He watched 26 young United hopefuls get their chance in Donachie’s side’s opening friendly.
The decision to stay away from Newcastle’s game in Motherwell is a positive sign as far as the dynamics of his relationship with Alan Pardew are concerned. There must be clear blue water between them.
A banner stating “Support the team – not the regime” was unfurled in the away section at Fir Park on Tuesday night.
There was nothing personal directed at Kinnear.
Only twice did a pocket of fans chant against Mike Ashley.
And there was a brief flurry of support for Pardew before the players and the backroom staff headed over to the 1,012 fans to thank them for their support after they’d headed north of the border.
Emphasis firmly remains on Kinnear to deliver the first signing of the summer.
WE TELL IT AS IT IS - NO BULLSHIT!
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PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
Rio Ave (A) July 20
Pacos Ferreira (A) July 23
Blackpool (A) July 29
St Mirren (A) July 31
Braga (H) August 10
MOTHERWELL 2 NEWCASTLE 4 (Vuckic, Gouffran, Sissoko, Marveaux)
Elliot; Tavernier, Williamson (S Taylor, 46), Yanga-Mbiwa (Streete, 82), Dummett; Sissoko (Abeid, 68), Anita (Amalfitano, 82); Obertan (Ferguson, 74), Vuckic (Marveaux, 46), Sammy Ameobi (Richardson, 82), Gouffran (Campbell, 58).
Sub not used: Alnwick.