Craig Wants To Be Moore The Merrier

CRAIG Moore heads to Charlton Athletic on Sunday hoping for a happier outcome than his last visit to The Valley.

It was at the South London venue back in March 2006, when the Australian central defender made his first Premiership appearance for the Magpies, but it proved to be an unhappy occasion as the Addicks ran out 3-1 winners.

Moore's last action for United was also in the capital, when he suffered a hamstring injujry in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal back in mid-November.

The former Rangers man was on the bench for Thursday night's UEFA Cup exit against AZ Alkmaar, and is now pushing for a recall.

Speaking about his previous trip to Charlton, he said: "It wasn't a good one for me last season, was it?

"It was my first start and it would be good to be involved tomorrow.

"Charlton are fighting for their lives at the moment, but we need to do get a good result and erase memories of Alkmaar.

"For me, it was a bitter-sweet time in Holland because, although I was back from injury, we also went out of Europe.

"It was good to be back, even on the bench, but we are all extremely disappointed by the way it worked out.

"We went there to try to win and afterwards in the dressing room we were virtually having to pick each other up off the floor because the disappointment was that bad.

"You need to pick yourself up in football and move on to the next game."

It was one of Moore's old Rangers colleagues, Shota Arveladze, who proved too wily for the United backline to handle in the DSB Stadion.

He added: "Shota was a constant thorn in our sides.

"He is a clever player and takes up good positions. And he did that in the two legs, which has ultimately cost us our place in Europe.

"He scored both times and we are so disappointed to go out."

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