Aye, life has turned out canny for Geordie loyalists. Goodbye to Mike Ashley's poisonous era. Ta ta, Steve Bruce. Hello hope. Howe's that for a change of fortune!
Crystal Palace arrive at the cathedral on the hill with Newcastle truly the party city of reputation celebrating Premier League survival from the depths of despair and looking towards an exciting future.
Such has been United's charge to the sunny uplands of the mountain side that they are chasing their best winning streak at home in 18 years since they won six successive matches at St James' Park between January and April 2004 under Sir Bobby Robson.
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Yet frankly if it ends in a draw we will care little. After what has gone before in our name a minor blip would be seen as another point gained rather than two lost.
However, hopefully Palace's bitter disappointment over an FA Cup semi-final defeat will outweigh suggestions that on the law of averages United cannot somehow keep manufacturing win after win after win at home by a single goal margin. What have Palace left to play for? We shall see.
Maybe both teams are squared up on the same points but there is still plenty to stir United blood like the newly secured sweet smell of rarefied air, pride after lengthy humiliation, and individuals wishing to make sure they are part of next season's development.
Defeat must be avoided of course because United still have title chasers Liverpool and Manchester City to come along with Arsenal and therefore some return is required to set up a trip to doomed Norwich before mammoth tests.
Let us finish with a flourish rather than a whimper. Recent heroics deserve that sort of climax. While Callum Wilson remains Newcastle's top marksman with six goals, despite not having played since Christmas, the double notched by Bruno Guimaraes against Leicester unbelievably elevated him to third top scorer with three. Obviously a problem to be addressed come the summer.
Dwight Gayle is apparently not to be given the opportunity of being the answer. He is on his way out. With the sides locked at 1-1 he was not even called upon until becoming the last sub on 90 minutes with the board showing four minutes of injury time. Hardly expected to make a major impact was he?
Significantly when United's sole through the middle striker Chris Wood walked after 69 minutes, Gayle was not the like for like replacement. Instead Joe Willock came on and Allan Saint-Maximin was switched from wide to centre before he went too. It tells all.
The Saint, still United's second top scorer on a barren landscape, could do with a timely booster after a hit and miss time of late, full of uplifting promise laced with disappointing final act. His confidence appears fragile which can happen with a mood player. It is either night or day.
There are others in need of impetus with their futures on the line. Miggy Almiron requires a goal or assist, Chris Wood simply a goal from open play, Jacob Murphy any sort of leg up, Martin Dubravka to rid himself of questions about certain goals conceded as he seeks to remain No.1 after the summer signings.
Willock, assured of being here next season, is pushing for a start after the boost of his assist on United's winner against Leicester. Still young and inexperienced, which is something easily forgotten, he is striving for a break in a middle of the park which is now made up of Bruno and two others. Big Joe, Jonjo, or Little Joe.
A midfielder of true world stature, Patrick Vieira, will look for a helping hand from the returning Conor Gallagher as he seeks to breathe life into a season squashed by Cup defeat.
Howe has no need to be a spirit lifter. The impetus is with his squad who have become Houdinis all. The objective is to continue to defy logic over how long they can punch above their weight. On paper their 2022 results have been good enough for Champions League qualification!
