It is difficult to imagine anything but a home win for the deposed champions but that said, the same fixture on the opening weekend two seasons ago ended in a 1-1 draw and Chris Hughton's side should not be short of self-belief after their promotion as winners of the Championship. Sir Alex Ferguson now has six forwards to choose from after the arrival of Bébé from Vitória de Guimarães and this could be the first time Michael Owen faces his former club. Do not bet your mortgage on him being applauded from the visiting end.

Venue Old Trafford, Monday 8pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season n/a

Referee C Foy. Last season's matches 26 Y69, R2, 2.73 cards per game

Odds Manchester Utd 1-4 Newcastle 14-1 Draw 5-1

Manchester Utd

Subs from Kuszczak, Brown, Rafael, Gibson, Obertan, Fabio, Park, Neville, Hernández, Smalling, Bébé, Fletcher, Owen, Berbatov, C Evans, De Laet

Doubtful Evra (leg)

Injured Anderson (knee, Sep), Ferdinand (knee, Sep), Hargreaves (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide n/a

Disciplinary record (last season) Y52 R4

Leading scorer (last season) Rooney 26

Newcastle

Subs from Forster, Krul, Campbell, Routledge, Perch, Xisco, Ameobi, Guthrie, Kadar, Ranger

Doubtful Campbell (match fitness), Smith (ankle)

Injured Simpson (ankle, Sep), S Taylor (shoulder, Oct), Gosling (knee, Jan), Best (ankle, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide n/a

Disciplinary record (last season) Y74 R2

Leading scorers (last season) Carroll, Nolan 17

Match pointers

• This is the fifth season in succession that Manchester Utd have begun their season at Old Trafford

• Newcastle have scored nine goals in 16 Premier League visits to Manchester Utd

• Manchester Utd have not lost at home to Newcastle since February 1972

• Steve Harper had the best saves to shots ratio in the Championship (80%) last term while Edwin van der Sar had the best in the top flight (81%)

• Manchester Utd were the beneficiaries of 10 own goals in 2009-10 – previously the record stood at six