It seems like five minutes ago since we were walking away from Watford on the back of controversy.
Glenn Roeder had resigned days earlier and Charles N' Zogbia and Oba Martins had fell out with Nigel Pearson before the final game of the season.
So, with United's first friendly about to kick off, is it a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Going into United's next game at Hartlepool, new manager Sam Allardyce guides his new team out on the back of yesterday's police raid at St James' Park with Newcastle seemingly at the centre of a corruption investigation, although the club clearly stated "The Club itself is not the subject of the investigation."
But for many the sound of the referee's whistle at Victoria Park will be music to their ears because finally, it's all about the game we love again, for now.
Newcastle won't have Steven Taylor, Albert Luque, Geremi, James Milner, David Edgar or Mark Viduka for various reasons.
But what they will have is Michael Owen, Joey Barton and David Rozenhal at their disposal.
Friendlies mean very little on the scale of the big picture but the sight of Owen scoring for United will be for one, something that we probably thought we'd never see again at one point.
As far Barton, the world waits with interest but there is no getting away from the fact he has got the potential to eclipse both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, so if he can do it a Newcastle shirt, it's hats off to Big Sam for having the bottle to take him on.
Rozenhal remains an unknown quantity to some but he brings with him bags of international experience after playing for the Czech Republic having played at both the European Championships and the World Cup.
On top of that he has picked up medals throughout his travels so far and brings in a winning mentality.
At £2.8million, he doesn't come here with a stupid price tag on his shoulders like other defenders down the years (Boumsong and Marcelino) so he a no nonsense arrival could be just what Big Sam needs to sort out his defence.
There is still a huge question mark hanging over the back four though and talk from the manager that the delay is nagging him in terms of transfer funds, is a major cause for concern despite the fact that Mike Ashley is said to be keen to splash the cash.
The transfer window shuts on August 31st, but with three defenders needed to bolster the much maligned defence, the clock is ticking.
For now that means players like Peter Ramage, who is often the target for critics, coming into the first game and getting a chance.
And then there is Paul Huntington, who also starts the season at a decent level in the pecking order because of the departures of Titus Bramble, Craig Moore and Gooch Onyewu, all of whom proved to be defensive stooges.
But while there is doom and gloom in the defence, the same cannot be said for the attack.
There must be goals in this lot. Big Sam stated he wanted a team that could score one goal to win a match but there has to more from these hot-shots.
Owen, Oba Martins, Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll will all be there at Hartlepool with in-form but unfit Aussie striker Mark Viduka to follow.
Elsewhere in midfield, Kieron Dyer has another chance to show he can do the business under a different manager and Nicky Butt, Nobby Solano and Charles N'Zogbia go into the night keen to impress the new boss.
How do you rate the current squad?
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