NEWCASTLE United will kick-off their 2008/09 Premier League campaign with a trip to Old Trafford for an opening day showdown with champions Manchester United on August 16.

The last time the Geordies faced the Red Devils in the first game of the season was back in 2000 when Sir Bobby Robson's side were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford with ex-Magpie Andy Cole and future Toon player Ronny Johnsen on the scoresheet.

The Toon Army will have to wait until August 23 to see United in action at St.James' Park with Bolton Wanderers the opponents in what is a repeat of Kevin Keegan's first game in charge on his return to the club last season.

Another tricky trip to Arsenal follows on August 30 before a home encounter with top flight new boys Hull City on September 13.

The first derby clash of the new season comes on October 25 when KK's boys travel to Wearside to take on Roy Keane's Sunderland at the Stadium of the Light.

The return fixture with the Black Cats is pencilled in for January 31, while Middlesbrough don't visit Tyneside until May 9 after a Tyne-Tees showdown at the Riverside Stadium on November 29.

Other notable fixtures include a Boxing Day trip to Wigan Athletic for the second consecutive year.

The final game of the season throws up an away clash at Aston Villa on May 24, while Fulham are the visitors to Gallowgate for the last home game of the campaign eight days earlier.

NUFC 2008/09 FIXTURES

Wed Aug 13 Carling Cup 1
Sat Aug 16 Manchester United A
Sat Aug 23 Bolton Wanderers H
Wed Aug 27 Carling Cup 2
Sat Aug 30 Arsenal A
Sat Sep 13 Hull City H
Sat Sep 20 West Ham United A
Wed Sep 24 Carling Cup 3
Sat Sep 27 Blackburn Rovers H
Sat Oct 4 Everton A
Sat Oct 18 Manchester City H
Sat Oct 25 Sunderland A
Wed Oct 29 West Bromwich Albion H
Sat Nov 1 Aston Villa H
Sat Nov 8 Fulham A F.A. Cup 1
Wed Nov 12 Carling Cup 4
Sat Nov 15 Wigan Athletic H
Sat Nov 22 Chelsea A
Sat Nov 29 Middlesbrough A F.A. Cup 2
Wed Dec 3 Carling Cup 5
Sat Dec 6 Stoke City H
Sat Dec 13 Portsmouth A
Sat Dec 20 Tottenham Hotspur H
Fri Dec 26 Wigan Athletic A
Sun Dec 28 Liverpool H
Sat Jan 3 F.A. Cup 3
Wed Jan 7 Carling Cup Semi-Final (1)
Sat Jan 10 West Ham United H
Sat Jan 17 Blackburn Rovers A
Wed Jan 21 Carling Cup Semi-Final (2)
Sat Jan 24 F.A. Cup 4
Wed Jan 28 Manchester City A
Sat Jan 31 Sunderland H
Sat Feb 7 West Bromwich Albion A
Sat Feb 14 F.A. Cup 5
Sat Feb 21 Everton H
Sat Feb 28 Bolton Wanderers A
Sun Mar 1 Carling Cup Final
Wed Mar 4 Manchester United H
Sat Mar 7 F.A. Cup 6
Sat Mar 14 Hull City A
Sat Mar 21 Arsenal H
Sat Apr 4 Chelsea H
Sat Apr 11 Stoke City A
Sat Apr 18 Tottenham Hotspur A F.A. Cup Semi-Final
Sat Apr 25 Portsmouth H
Sat May 2 Liverpool A
Sat May 9 Middlesbrough H
Sat May 16 Fulham H
Sun May 24 Aston Villa A
Sat May 30 F.A. Cup Final