By Craig Hope

IT will be the seventh time in their history that Newcastle United have kicked off their season against the reigning champions when they travel to Manchester United on August 16.

The Magpies couldn't have asked for a tougher start than a curtain-raising clash against the Red Devils at Old Trafford, the same venue at which the Geordies slipped to a 2-0 defeat on the opening day back in 2000.

And, while it will be the first time that the black and whites have taken on the European champions in a first day fixture, it won't be their first early-season encounter with the English league holders.

Here's a quick run through the previous six;

1920/21: West Brom (H) 1-1 Seymour
1924/25: Huddersfield Town (H) 1-3 Cowan
1930/31: Sheff Wed (A) 1-2 Cape
1949/50: Portsmouth (H) 1-3 Robledo G
1986/87: Liverpool (H) 0-2
2000/01: Man Utd (A) 0-2