Manchester United v Newcastle United Preview

Here I preview the opening game of the season for my second favourite team (behind Gillingham!) Manchester United. K.O. 4pm

Manchester United kick off the defence of their Premier League title today, at home to Newcastle United.

The Red Devils, having won the double of the Premier League and UEFA Champions League last season, will be looking to secure their 11th Premier League title and third in a row, this season.

Manchester United recovered well from last season, where they endured a difficult start to their campaign and gained only two points from three games, which included a lacklustre 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season against Reading.

However, the Red Devils—with the exception of their defeat to Chelsea in 2004 (the start of the Mourinho era)—have not been beaten on the opening day of the season in 12 years.

Newcastle however will be hoping to put an end to that, and will try to be the first Newcastle team to win a Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.

That will be difficult however, seen as they haven't beaten Manchester United since September 2001, a run stretching almost seven years.  

The Magpies will also be all too aware of their 6-0 drubbing at Old Trafford last season, and will hope that results will go their way this time, in order to lift the curse over them at Old Trafford.

Team News

It seems that Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping the faith with the team that won the double last year, as no new signings have been made by the Red Devils supremo.

However, it won't be Sir Alex's best starting XI today, as Cristiano Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves, and Wayne Rooney all miss out through injury, although the latter may make an appearance in the second-half if he passes a fitness test. Nani will also miss out due to a two game suspension.

Michael Carrick is contention for a starting role in centre-midfield, while Patrice Evra might be asked to fill the void on the left-wing, and should Rooney not be fit enough, Ryan Giggs could partner Carlos Tevez upfront.

Another big decision for Sir Alex is who will play at right-back. Does he go for the fit-again captain Gary Neville, or last season's regular starter Wes Brown, who played very well and was crucial to the Red's defence.

For Newcastle, Argentine duo Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez will be looking to make their Premier League debuts, after the latter has recently received international clearance. Other new signings Danny Guthrie and Sebastian Bassong will also be hoping to play at some point.

Joey Barton won't play following his release from jail, while Mark Viduka and Andy Carroll are both sidelined through injury. Abdoulaye Faye, Obafemi Martins Shola Ameobi are all doubtful for today's clash.