NEWCASTLE United manager Bobby Robson is tipping Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to become a legend at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy grabbed the Red Devils' first goal in their 3-1 win over the Magpies on Wednesday.

Robson is convinced the striker, who he once recommended to Sir Alex Ferguson, will go on to become a huge success in the Premniership for a long time to come.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will be a legend there," said Robson, who had the player under his wing during his time as PSV Eindhoven manager in 1998.

"He's strong, has good energy levels, is quick, has an eye for goal and an eye for a shot. He's a terrific player.

''He's a 25-goal-a-year merchant in the English Premiership as long as the service is there around him.

''I'm not surprised by what he's done, because I know his character and I know his ability.

''He was a player who could always step up to a higher league.

''He was outstanding at PSV and at his age he can only get better and he will get better.''

Robson once met Ferguson's brother Martin, who is United's European scout, at a Dutch airport during one of the Scotsman's many trips to watch van Nistelrooy.

Robson said: ''I know he was wanting to say to me 'What do you think about him?'

''I said 'Tell your brother to buy him'. He said thanks. But Alex made up his own mind, of course, and he wasn't relying on me.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer looks like he will face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup tomorrow, despite Robson's hopes of resting the schemer.

Dyer has played in each of the St. James' Park club's last eight matches and his coach wanted to rest the player in the third round clash with the Eagles.

But Robert Lee suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury at Old Trafford and Gary Speed has a doubt over an ankle problem. Frenchman Laurent Robert is likely to shake off his hip injury.

Another Newcastle midfielder, Argentinian Christian Bassedas, is set to join Tenerife.

The clubs are close to agreeing a deal and Bassedas is flying to the Canary island for a medical.

He was also said to be attracting interest from top Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna.

South American Diego Gavilan has sealed his proposed loan switch from Newcastle to Tecos Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico.

Antonio Gavilan, the player's father, stated: "There is an agreement with Newcastle, owner of his contract, so that my son is loaned to Tecos for one season, so he can play before going to the World Cup (with Paraguay)."

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