Sir Alex Ferguson dropped a Champions League bombshell when he left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench for tonight's encounter with Olympiakos in Athens.
In the absence of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Norwegian was expected to spearhead the Red Devils' strikeforce as the visitors looked for the single point which would cement a place in the second stage with two matches to spare.
It was not known whether Solskjaer was suffering from any slight injury, although he appeared fine when he faced the media at yesterday's press conference.
Instead, Ferguson elected to place his trust in Diego Forlan.
Despite starting just one game so far this season, the Uruguayan has appeared in every United outing of the campaign, although a paltry return of one penalty from 33 club appearances since his £7million switch from Independiente needed some drastic improvement.
It was the sole change from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Fulham, with Paul Scholes expected to supply attacking support from his more advanced midfield role.
Olympiakos, who have dumped their manager since losing 4-0 at Old Trafford three weeks ago, were without influential midfielder Ze Elias, suspended following his dismissal for a vicious tackle on Juan Sebastian Veron in the previous meeting.
The home side's cause was not helped by the suspension of the Greek league last month following the collapse of the host broadcaster.
However, just one defeat in 14 home Champions League outings - ironically against United last season - suggested a difficult evening for Ferguson's men.
Olympiakos:Eleftheropoulos, Anatolakis, Antzas, Venetidis, Patsatzoglou, Giannakopoulos, Zetterberg, Karembeu, Djordjevic, Giovanni, Dracena. Subs: Katergianakis, Amanatidis, Choutos, Mavrogenidis, Ofori Quaye, Kostoulas, Niniadis.
Olympiakos:Eleftheropoulos, Anatolakis, Antzas, Venetidis, Patsatzoglou, Giannakopoulos, Zetterberg, Karembeu, Djordjevic, Giovanni, Dracena. Subs: Katergianakis, Amanatidis, Choutos, Mavrogenidis, Ofori Quaye, Kostoulas, Niniadis.
Man Utd:Barthez, Gary Neville, Blanc, O'Shea, Silvestre, Beckham, Phil Neville, Veron, Giggs, Scholes, Forlan. Subs: Ricardo, May, Chadwick, Solskjaer, Fortune, Roche, Richardson.
Referee:Pierluigi Collina (Italy)
Newcastle v Juventus (teams)
Newcastle:Harper, Griffin, O'Brien, Bramble, Hughes, Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert, LuaLua, Shearer. Subs: Given, Elliott, Acuna, Ameobi, Kerr, Bernard, Viana.
Juventus:Buffon, Thuram, Ferrara, Iuliano, Birindelli, Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Davids, Nedved, Del Piero, Di Vaio. Subs: Fresi, Conte, Chimenti, Zambrotta, Baiocco, Moretti, Zalayeta.
Referee:R Pedersen (Norway)