As Geordies ... we have to hang onto the dream.
We have not beaten Man Utd at Old Trafford since 1972, and each and every year we go there BELIEVING the hoodoo will be broken.
So what are the reasons to be cheerful?
Firstly Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly be missing from the Manc line-up; and secondly ... Wayne Rooney is on the fags!
And I'm sure that will be of interest to our Geordie boy Steven Taylor, who will be hanging off the England international's shirt tails when the season begins.
Wayne Rooney married his childhood sweetheart, Colleen, this summer, meaning he will be even less drawn to the partying lifestyle that comes with being a young, single, successful footballer.
But what has the woman done to him? Rooney was seen to be smoking on his honeymoon, and now he has added another tattoo to his collection.
They are Rooney's favourite band and performed at his Italian wedding. The song "Mr Writer", from where the line comes from, is a dig at the English press.
Meanwhile .... Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United has taken yet another twist with the news Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal received personal assurances from Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon that the Portugal international will sign for the Spanish club.
According to reports, Nadal, the fervent Real Madrid supporter was told by Calderon that Ronaldo's move to the Bernabeu is "done and dusted", following the epic five-set championship win over Roger Federer at SW19.
It is understood Nadal asked Calderon: "OK, President, where's this Cristiano Ronaldo we are supposed to be signing?"
This prompted a confident response from the Real president who boasted to Nadal: "Relax, Rafa, everything's under control. We've got him done and dusted."