... claiming their displeasure at United's bids for Mark Viduka and Robert Huth on transfer deadline day last week.
After reports in the Evening Chronicle, Newcastle have pointed out that, as Huth had still not signed for Boro, they were perfectly entitled to bid for the German international.
The World Cup defender eventually moved to the Riverside in a £5m deal at around 1pm on Friday after rejecting the chance to join Glenn Roeder's side. Obviously Roeder hasn't the presence of ex-Toon boss Kevin Keegan, who in 1992 jumped in at the last moment and took Rob Lee to Newcastle just before he signed on the dotted line for Boro. He used the now famouse quote: "Newcastle is further South than Middlesbrough and easier to get back to London".
Newcastle have also stressed they did nothing underhand in their attempts to bring Viduka to St James's Park. The Magpies are understood to have made a £1.5m offer for Boro's Australian international, which was rejected.
But they are adamant they did nothing to try to unsettle the 30-year-old apart from a make an offer to his club.