Manchester United will be without their captain Bruno Fernandes for their crucial Boxing Day Premier League encounter against Newcastle United at Old Trafford. The Portuguese playmaker is one of up to 15 players from both squads who could miss the festive fixture due to a combination of injuries and international commitments.
Injury Blow for United as Key Men Sidelined
The Red Devils have confirmed a significant setback, with Bruno Fernandes expected to miss roughly one month of action. The midfielder picked up an injury during the defeat at Aston Villa, forcing him off at half-time, and will not recover in time to face the Magpies.
He is not the only key absentee for manager Ruben Amorim. Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also set to miss the match after sustaining a problem in training prior to the Villa game. In defence, the club continues to be without the experienced pair of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, both of whom are nearing returns but will not be ready for Friday's match.
Furthermore, Manchester United's squad has been depleted by the Africa Cup of Nations. The club will be without forward Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), winger Amad (Ivory Coast), and defender Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) for the foreseeable future.
Newcastle's Defensive Crisis Ahead of Old Trafford Trip
Eddie Howe's Newcastle are grappling with their own extensive injury list, particularly in defence. The Magpies will definitely be without Dan Burn, who suffered a punctured lung and rib injury in the clash with Sunderland.
They are also likely to miss Sven Botman (back), Tino Livramento (knee), and experienced full-back Kieran Trippier (hamstring). There is some positive news regarding goalkeeper Nick Pope, who is nearing a return from a groin issue, but his availability remains uncertain.
Additional absentees for the visitors include Will Osula (ankle), Jamaal Lascelles, and Emil Krafth (shin), though the latter is closing in on a comeback.
High Stakes in the Race for Europe
This Boxing Day clash carries significant weight for both teams' European aspirations. Under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United have shown improvement but remain inconsistent, currently sitting just three points ahead of Newcastle in 11th place.
The match is the only Premier League fixture scheduled for Boxing Day this season, adding to its prominence. With both sides firmly in the chasing pack for European qualification, the result could prove pivotal, forcing both Amorim and Howe to find creative solutions from within their depleted squads.
The sheer volume of absentees underscores the physical demands of the modern season and will test the depth of both clubs as they aim to kickstart their push for a coveted Champions League place.
