Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will spearhead their attack as they begin the defence of their title.
He has recovered from a virus, but Nani is suspended and Cristiano Ronaldo injured, so Michael Carrick may start.
Newcastle have included new Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini, but Joey Barton has not been considered.
Skipper Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Andy Carroll are all injured and Shola Ameobi is talking to Ipswich, but Obafemi Martins is set to feature.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, R Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Evans, Evra, Silvestre, F Da Silva, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Possebon, Giggs, Martin, Tevez, Rooney, Campbell.
Newcastle (from): Given, Beye, N'Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique, Cacapa, Bassong, Edgar, Butt, Geremi, Milner, Duff, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins, Smith, Edgar, Harper.
Sir Alex Ferguson on speculation Manchester United are poised to sign Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov:
"I cannot give you an answer because there isn't one.
"We have been trying to add to the squad but nothing has changed, I have nothing else to say.
"You might be surprised at what is going to happen over the next two days.
"The challenge is for us to improve.
"You would think with young players like Anderson, Ronaldo, Rooney and Nani we have the capacity to do that.
"There is no doubt this team will win championships long after I have left. There is a good foundation here now."
Newcastle's new signing Jonas Gutierrez on fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez:
"I am friends with Carlos and we will talk before the game.
"He's very good and our defenders will have to pay a lot of attention, because he can score a goal at any moment.
"There are many good players in the United team but Carlos is playing very well and had a great season last time."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United begin the challenge for a record 11th Premier League title. A second hat-trick of such titles would see Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils crowned champions of England for the 18th time, and put them on a par with Liverpool's 18-year-old record.
Newcastle last won the league championship in 1927, and have not claimed a major piece of silverware for 39 years, since the European Fairs Cup in 1969.
Manchester United ran riot against Newcastle last season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for the club as they won this corresponding fixture 6-0, three days after the Magpies had parted company with Sam Allardyce, and four days before the arrival of Kevin Keegan.
The Red Devils went on to complete the 'double' over the Magpies with an 11-1 aggregate.
Distance between clubs: 152.9 miles (246 kilometres)
MANCHESTER UNITED
Last season's finishing position: 1st, two points clear
1. One of 10 founder members of the Premier League competing this season.
2. One of seven ever-presents competing in their 17th Premier League campaign. The others are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham.
3. Never finished outside the Premier League's top three.
4. Last week's Community Shield was the 30th piece of silverware United have claimed in the tenure of Sir Alex Ferguson, which this season moves into its 23rd year.
5. Starting the Premier League campaign at home for the third season running.
6. Held at home to a goalless draw by Reading on the opening day 12 months ago, and failed to win their first three matches, before building an eight-match winning sequence.
7. Lost on the opening day only once in 12 years; that being 1-0, away to Chelsea on 15 August 2004, which was Jose Mourinho's first match in charge of the Blues.
8. Challenging for a sixth successive home league win. Not dropped a point at Old Trafford since the 1-2 loss to Manchester City on 10 February.
9. Not brought in any players during the close season.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Last season's finishing position: 12th
1. This is their 79th season in the top tier, but only their 16th in succession.
2. Twice Premier League runners-up, in 1995-96 and 1996-97, but outside the top 11 for the last two seasons, and only managed one top-half finish in the last four years.
3. Gained 43 points last season, equalling their lowest ever tally in this league of the year before.
4. Average Premier League finish: 8th (7.93)
5. Beat Wigan and Bolton respectively in their last two opening fixtures in the Premier League seasons.
6. Won 25% of their league games in Keegan's current spell (four of 16).
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ins and Outs
Cristiano RONALDO was Manchester United's top scorer last season with 42 goals.
The Portuguese also won the Barclays Golden Boot as the Premier League' top marksman with 31. He is one of only five different players to score 30 or more goals in a Premier League campaign.
If selected:-
Goalkeeper Edwin VAN DER SAR will be making his 100th Premier League appearance for Manchester United.
Mikael SILVESTRE will be making his 250th Premier League appearance for Manchester United.
If on the field from the outset:-
Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.
Michael CARRICK will be making his 250th career league start (West Ham, Swindon, Birmingham, Tottenham and Manchester United).
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Ins and Outs
Michael OWEN was Newcastle's top scorer last season with 13 goals, and leading Premier League marksman with 11.
Alan SMITH will be facing former colleagues. The 27 year old England international forward made 93 appearances (61 in the league) and scored 12 goals (seven league) for the Red Devils between May 2004 and his move to Newcastle in August 2007.
HEAD TO HEAD
Manchester United are vying for a fifth successive home league win over Newcastle.
The Magpies have never won a Premier League match at Old Trafford. Their last maximum there was 36 years ago; a 0-2 top-flight triumph on 12 February 1972.
The Toon have not celebrated a victory against the champions in 13 Premier League meetings, since an odd goal in seven victory at St James' Park on 15 September 2001.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 68 wins, Newcastle 38, Draws 34
Prem: Man United 18 wins, Newcastle 3, Draws 9
at Man Utd only
League (inc PL): Man United 43 wins, Newcastle 9, Draws 18
Prem: Man United 10 wins, Newcastle 0, Draws 5
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 6-0 Newcastle United
12 January 2008 - Ref: Rob Styles
Man Utd scorers: Ronaldo 49, Tevez 55, Ronaldo 70, Ferdinand 85, Ronaldo 88, Tevez 90
Sent Off: Smith (Newcastle) 90
REFEREE
Mike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire)
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