Berbatov starts for United

Dimitar Berbatov has been handed a starting slot alongside Wayne Rooney as Manchester United begin their attempt to regain the Premier League title against newly-promoted Newcastle at Old Trafford tonight.

There was a familiar feel about the entire United side as new signings Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez only make the bench for Alex Ferguson’s men.

Newcastle include former Manchester United man Alan Smith in a repeat of the opening fixture two years ago, when the Magpies managed a draw but ended up getting relegated.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney.

Subs: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Smalling, Carrick, Giggs, Macheda, Hernandez.

Newcastle: Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Nolan, Barton, Gutierrez, Carroll.

Subs: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Xisco, Ameobi, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier.

Referee: Chris Foy.