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Barclays Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Monday, 16 August Kick-off: 2000 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio and live on Sky Sports 1
Michael Carrick says Manchester United must avoid any unnecessary slip-ups as they kick off their Premier League campaign at newly promoted Newcastle.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side lost eight times last term as they were beaten to the title by Chelsea by a single point.
Chelsea began the defence of their crown with a crushing 6-0 defeat of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
And as the Red Devils face Newcastle on Monday, Carrick warned: "There isn't much margin for error."
The midfielder added: "Last season was a bit of a freak in terms of how many games both us and Chelsea lost and how many points were dropped.
"Competition is pretty fierce again now.
"Teams who have finished around the Champions League places are looking to break through and you really have to start firing from the off."
Carrick expects Newcastle to provide a stern test, though, following their return to the top flight after just one season in the Championship.
"Newcastle will be flying," said Carrick, who hails from Wallsend in Tyne and Wear. "They are back in the Premier League and what better place to start than Old Trafford.
"They obviously want to get off to a good start and build up some momentum themselves.
"It is only two years ago that we played them in the first game at Old Trafford and drew. Hopefully it will be better this time."
Magpies boss Chris Hughton admits a trip to Old Trafford is not what he would have chosen for his side's first match back in the Premier League.
"It will be a massive challenge for us," he said. "But this is what we worked so hard for last season to get straight back up into this division.
"It's probably not the ideal choice. I think the ideal choice would have been to have a home game."
But Hughton is taking confidence in Newcastle's visit to Old Trafford two seasons ago, when they drew 1-1.
"We certainly gave a very good account of ourselves so we're aware that everything's possible even though we're massive underdogs," he added.
Read more at bbc.co.uk
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