But they were warned ... by the man who last came up against the Ukrainians.
Ian Chandler is the man in charge at Northern League Whitley Bay, and he expected the visitors to shock Alan Pardew and his boys.
As part of their preparations for their Europa League clash at St James' Park, Metalist came to England early as the league in Ukraine is on a winter break.
During their stay they wanted a friendly, and in stepped Whitley Bay.
Ian Chandler: "It was about five or six weeks ago that the premise of the idea came about.
"The weather was not great, consistent wind and rain and our changing rooms and ground is nowhere near to what they are used to so it was a culture shock
"The guy who runs the Hilton in Newcastle was trying to get the business in his hotel and they wanted a friendly and he suggested us, which was good of him.
"Unfortunately, he did not get the business but he still pushed for us to get the friendly and that is how it came about.
"They wanted to acclimatise to conditions, and our pitch is very good at this level - flat and well looked after.
"But the weather was not great, consistent wind and rain and our changing rooms and ground are nowhere near to what they are used to, so it was a culture shock.
"But they came and they were good enough to come and give us a game - so I can't praise them enough, but I think they did get a shock when the game kicked off.
"It is a professional manner, getting there four or five days before to acclimatise.
"Maybe it should have been a mismatch and on another day and another pitch it would have been. We played quite well, but they should have won comfortably if they had put their minds to it.
"When you play pro teams you can see the first touch is fantastic, the speed, the fitness and awareness was all there, but in the last third they were trying to play intricate football which was not coming off - but they have got some cracking players.
"They had two different teams, a different XI in each half so they were fresh as well.
"I think Newcastle might have too much for them in the home game with the big crowd too, but going over to the Ukraine it could be a different kettle of fish and probably hinges on what Newcastle do at home.
"If Newcastle can get a lead, then I think they will need something to hold onto."
Well it ended 0-0 and United, indeed, have a lot of work ahead of them to drag this out of the fire.
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