And he believes Chelsea's fortress should hold no fears for his players – despite the club's dismal record there.

Newcastle have not won at Stamford Bridge in 23 years, and with Phil Scolari's side topping the Premier League table, the odds are heavily stacked against Kinnear's side ending that long run.

However, Kinnear twice guided unfashionable Wimbledon to successes at the west London stadium in the mid-1990s, and also enjoyed victories there as a player with Tottenham Hotspur.

And he was back at Stamford Bridge last week to see Championship club Burnley knock them out of the Carling Cup after a penalty shootout.

"I won 4-2 there with Wimbledon," Kinnear told the Gazette. "In fact, I've won there quite a few times – it's quite a good place for me."

Kinnear – whose 17th-placed side are only out of the relegation zone because of goal difference – also believes his pre-match team talk will be one of the easiest he will give during his time at United.

United were off the pace in their last game – a 2-2 home draw against Wigan Athletic – but Kinnear believes there will be no repeat of that lethargy, believing his players will need no extra motivation this time.

Kinnear went on: "Unless I've got it badly wrong, I'd assume you wouldn't have to get your team up to play at Chelsea. I think everybody will be up for that match, no disrespect to Wigan."