Portsmouth: The 'Yak' was recommended by Alex Ferguson

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that striker Yakubu Ayegbeni was recommended to him by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Nigerian played against United for Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League two years ago and impressed as his side shocked the Red Devils 3-0 in Israel.

Redknapp confirmed: "We had some good reports about him and when I asked Alex he said go over there and if you have the chance then get him.

"We took him on loan at first and he helped us get promotion before we signed him permanently. He has proved a terrific buy for us."

Yakubu has netted 28 goals in 60 league outings for Pompey and will come face to face with Ferguson and United again this weekend at Fratton Park.

"All my strikers have pace, but the trouble is so do United's defenders like Mikael Silvestre and Rio Ferdinand," Redknapp added.

"They are quick as lightning and I've always said since he grew up with me at West Ham that Rio's probably the best centre-half in Europe."

Redknapp has plenty of strike options to choose from with Yakubu likely to start alongside Diomansy Kamara, with Lomana LuaLua set to start on the right wing.

4thegame

I bet Fergie was kicking himself and he could have saved alot of money and bought the Yak instead of Saha..

Hrmm yeah i wonder why he never?

never knew that, portsmouth got the better deal IMO, i guess yakabu would have been more of a gamble

This is funny cos i bet Sir Alex is kicking himself now, afetr the Yak scred the winner against United.

We are now 9th cheers United:sport-smiley-019:

[Edited on 04/10/03 by drunk]

Yea they are 9th only 2 points behind United aswell....

Lets hope they don't fall by the wayside like they did last season..