Chris Hughton admits a trip to Old Trafford is not the ideal start to life back in the Premiership. The Magpies ran away with the Championship last season to book an immediate return to the top flight, where Hughton knows life will be much tougher.
He said: "Looking at Manchester United on Sunday and the squad they've got and the quality they've got, it will be a massive challenge for us.
"But this is what we worked so hard for last season to get straight back up into this division.
"It's probably not the ideal choice. I think the ideal choice would have been to have a home game but we have been there before on the first game of the season two seasons ago and we certainly gave a very good account of ourselves so we're aware that everything's possible even though we're massive underdogs."
The fixture will at least ensure Newcastle begin the season with expectations in check, but the Toon boss is confident his players will not be short on belief.
"In some ways it relieves a little bit of pressure but the pressure we want to put on ourselves, whether it be at Old Trafford or Anfield or wherever, is we mustn't go there with any fear," he continued.
"To get something from the game we're going to have to play well ourselves and Manchester United possibly not have such a good day, but that is possible."
Wayne Rooney netted 34 goals for his club last term but has not scored in a competitive match since March, including four blanks in South Africa.
Hughton added: "It's certainly not just about one player. They have a wonderful squad and it's going to have to be a really good team performance from us."
