Once the major interruption of the international break is thankfully behind us Newcastle United will return for a massive game but not a revenge mission.
True, Manchester United dashed the dreams of thousands upon thousands of Geordies at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final and are about to arrive at SJP for a Premier League match crucial to both clubs with European football back on the menu for Newcastle. However gaining three points, a welcome boost as it would undoubtedly be, could never be considered ample revenge for Newcastle failing to secure their first domestic silverware in 68 years.
That is far, far too long a wait to be so easily rectified. It must now go on for at least another 12 months so, no, the two matches cannot be compared.
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Every Geordie kept waiting - and I because of advanced age have waited every one of those 68 agonising years since the FA Cup triumph of 1955 - knows that we desperately need to get rid of the slur that we are the greatest supporters of failure.
Maybe a win could significantly enhance Newcastle's European chances but it would in no way confirm Champions League or Europa League qualification with 11 matches still to be played afterwards and therefore as a 90 minutes it cannot be compared to Wembley in terms of what is at stake.
Ironically the last two occasions when the Magpies could have reversed a seemingly never ending trend came against Man U - the 1999 FA Cup final and 2023 League Cup final.
However despite the difference between what happened a few weeks ago and what awaits in a week's time it must still be recognised that victory over Man U would be loved by those of black-and-white loyalty. It may not be revenge but it would be ruddy marvellous!
This particular club has sickened us enough in the past . . . apart from the two cup finals they also in successive seasons prevented Newcastle from winning the PL championship when we finished second.
Should victory be achieved it will be a throwback to what happened 27 years ago with the Entertainers. Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and crew slaughtered Manchester United 5-0 at SJP in October of 96 topped off by an audacious Philippe Albert chip over the world's best keeper Peter Schmeichel but, no, it was not the ultimate revenge. Fergie's preening peacocks had beaten us to the title the previous season and despite a five goal thrashing they did it again at the end of the campaign in question.
When Man U return to the scene of their mighty smacking they will further antagonise locals because a certain Steve McClaren will be back to sit in their dug-out. He has hardly been forgiven for his disastrous season in charge of the black and white United which paved the way for relegation.
McClaren is like a red rag to a pawing bull - he along with Joe Kinnear and others stand as a beacon to Mike Ashley's years of relentless depression. How we were all made to suffer and told to be grateful for the humiliation because, well, the club was not about to be put into administration. Yeah, thanks for nothing.
The back view of Ashley is the best thing that happened to NUFC because it opened the door to everything that has occurred since.
What the Reds will not have come their latest visit is the services of Casemiro who headed the match-turning opening goal at Wembley and is their Bruno. He is suspended, which I mind not a bit, while Newcastle's other Brazilian Joelinton is freed from his shackles.
The fortnight's break is good for Bruno because as I've said many times his sharpness has looked a tad blunted with him courageously carrying a niggling ankle injury. Not being called up by Brazil and therefore being able to rest and receive a little reassuring treatment is a godsend.
Our United have a few injury problems to concern Eddie The Eagle who is scattering feathers at the sharp end of the PL table. Nick Pope will be perfectly all right but Miggy Almiron and Anthony Gordon are big worries while Fabian Schar withdrew from Swiss international duty because of a persistent foot injury and Callum Wilson is far from in the rudest of health. United need all hands on deck for a big run-in.
However cometh the hour cometh the man and in United's last two victories those challenged to produce did so spectacularly. Of course Alexander Isak was the leader of the hit parade but he was closely followed by Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson. All were a breath of fresh air at a time when Newcastle were in danger of going stale.
Murphy and Anderson are particularly a plus with Almiron set to be sidelined for a while which is heartbreaking for a lad having his best goalscoring season but at least Jacob and Elliot provide good cover out wide where Joelinton can be utilised once again with Willock bombing in the middle of the park.
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