Uniteds hungry for redemption

Both Manchester United and Newcastle United go into the new season with something to prove. Sir Alex Ferguson's 11-time Premier League champions are desperate to regain the title and have looked in imperious form during pre-season, while Chris Hughton is aiming to consolidate his side's status as a top-flight club on the Magpies' return to the big time.

GettyImages

Javier Hernandez, Paul Scholes and Jonny Evans

Next Five Matches in Competition
Manchester United		Newcastle United
8/16	H: Newcastle United	8/16	A: Manchester United
8/22	A: Fulham	8/22	H: Aston Villa
8/28	H: West Ham United	8/28	A: Wolverhampton Wanderers
9/12	A: Everton	9/11	H: Blackpool
9/19	H: Liverpool	9/18	A: Everton
· Club Fixtures: Manchester United | Newcastle United

Having relinquished their crown to Chelsea, and narrowly missed out on a chance to overtaking Liverpool's total of 18 league titles in the process, Ferguson's side have plenty of motivation ahead of the new season. They made a statement of intent in last Sunday's curtain raiser - beating reigning champions Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield - and with Wayne Rooney ready to be unleashed - the stirker looking to atone for a poor showing in South Africa - it could be a case of wrong place, wrong time for newly-promoted Newcastle.

Hughton has thrown out the big egos and sculpted a squad that is low on narcissism and high on team spirit. But having strolled to the Championship title, Newcastle can take nothing for granted on their return to the Premier League. While the signing ofJames Perch raised some eyebrows, the arrivals ofDan Gosling and Sol Campbell could prove astute and the key for Hughton is motivating the players who remain from the club's last stint in the top flight to prove they deserve to be back at English football's top table.

Hughton was certainly dealt a cruel draw by the fixture computer, and without a win at Old Trafford since 1972, the Magpies will have their work cut out to improve on a record of three victories from their last 11 Premier League opening day fixtures.

Manchester United player to watch: Javier Hernandez. There were plenty of cries of "Javier who?" around Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up Chicharito before the World Cup. But fast forward two months and there is one name on the lips of the United faithful, who have been impressed with what they have seen from the Mexico striker. Just how much he will be used remains to be seen but following a sensational World Cup and pre-season, Hernandez' pace, enthusiasm and impressive finishing will have struck fear into United's Premier League opponents.

Newcastle United player to watch: Andy Carroll. The Gateshead-born frontman emerged as a real prospect during Newcastle's ill-fated 2008-09 season, scoring three goals in 14 Premier league games as the club were relegated. But it was last season in the Championship that Carroll proved to be an indispensable player for Newcastle - plundering 17 goals to spearhead the club's return to the top flight. This season is the acid test for the England Under-21 international, as he aims to prove that he can cut it with the big boys, and there is no better opportunity for him to demonstrate his goalscoring credentials than against United.

Key battle: Wayne Rooney v Fabricio Coloccini. Two years ago, on his Newcastle debut, Coloccini did a good job of shackling Rooney at Old Trafford as the Magpies held United to a 1-1 draw. Since then, he has been one of Newcastle's most consistent performers through the most unstable time in the club's recent history. He will need to be at his experienced best again as he tries to keep the 2009-10 Player of the Year at bay; Rooney will be like a caged animal going into this game, and will fight tooth and nail to make amends for his disappointing World Cup showing.

Trivia: This is the fifth season in succession that Manchester United have begun the season with a game at Old Trafford.

Stats: Steve Harper had the best saves to shots ratio in the Championship (80 per cent), while Edwin van der Sarhad the best rate in the Premier League (81 per cent).

Odds: Man Utd (1.25), Newcastle (15.00) and the draw (5.50) are available with Bet 365. Javier Hernandez to score the game's last goal is priced at 5.50.

Prediction: Newcastle will be determined to prove they are no walkovers on their return to the top flight, but Manchester United have looked irresistible in pre-season and their superior quality will come to the fore at Old