Source: Northern_Echo
Guthrie missing for Magpies
DANNY Guthrie is a surprise absentee from Newcastle's starting line-up for the opening game of the season after sustaining an injury in training over the weekend. Guthrie will not feature at Old Trafford, so Alan Smith is handed a starting spot as he returns to his former stamping ground. The former Manchester United midfielder lines up as part of a three-man midfield, with Kevin Nolan given licence to push forward in support of lone striker Andy Carroll. Mike Williamson partners Fabricio Coloccini at the heart of the back four, with James Perch making his Newcastle debut at right-back. MAN UTD (4-4-2): Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov. Subs: Kuszczak (gk), Rafael, Smalling, Carrick, Giggs, Macheda, Hernandez. NEWCASTLE (4-5-1): Harper; Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Smith, Nolan, Barton, Gutierrez; Carroll. Subs: Krul (gk), R Taylor, Tavernier, Vuckic, Xisco, Ranger, Ameobi.