Steve Bruce hopes that Joelinton can rise to the challenge after he was told he would be staying on as the club's number 9.
Bruce has brushed off talks that Turkish side Fenerbahce are interested in the Brazilian and insists he still has a part to play on Tyneside.
Speaking at the club's media day at the club's Benton base, Bruce hopes that Joelinton and new boy Callum Wilson can play together and that United's front-line has been boosted massively in the last few days.
He said: "Joelinton will keep number 9, Callum will wear number 13.
"For me, it’s all about creating a squad, and I hope Joe will rise to the challenge.
"We all know he’s a good player underneath it all.
"There’s a 24-year-old lad playing, getting used to the Premier League and he found it tough.
"I hope he can play alongside him at times and do well."
Meanwhile, Wilson added: "I want to come in and get my feet under the table and settle in and not cause disruption.
"If it was available, don’t get me wrong, I would have snapped it with both hands, but, for now, it’s not.
"Quite frankly, I’m not going to come in and take shirts off players.
"The number 9 shirt is taken, to be honest with you."
