Manchester United suffer bombshell injury blow days ahead of Newcastle United clash - 6 already out
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Newcastle United latest news: Manchester United have been handed a major injury blow ahead of their clash with Eddie Howe’s side.
Manchester United have been handed a seismic injury blow just days before their clash with Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils signed off their pre-Christmas schedule with a defeat against Aston Villa in the Midlands. Ruben Amorim’s side ended the weekend 7th in the Premier League table and just three points ahead of the Magpies - who they host on Boxing Day.
A brace from Morgan Rogers either side of half-time, including a stunning strike for his first goal, was enough to down Amorim’s side who had levelled through Matheus Cunha in the final stages of the first-half. However, they ended the first 45 minutes without the services of their captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes pulled up with injury as the first-half came to a close, but was able to play on until the break. However, he did not emerge for the second-half after being withdrawn by his manager, with defender Lisandro Martinez coming on in his place.
Speaking after the game, Amorim confirmed that he would be without Fernandes for a number of weeks, which includes their clash with the Magpies at the end of the week: “It’s a soft tissue, I think he’s going to lose some games, I don’t know for sure. Let’s see,” Amorim said of Fernandes.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about matters you can’t control. He is a guy who is always fit so he might recover quite well.
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“I think Kobbie [Mainoo] might be out [v Newcastle United], Bruno is out, so we will see, we are going to find solutions, no excuses, we need to win the next game and we will try to win the next game.”
Manchester United team and injury news v Newcastle United
Losing the services of Fernandes would have been a major blow for the Red Devils anyway, but their increasing injury list in midfield means that his absence will be felt very hard by Amorim. As confirmed, Kobbie Mainoo will also miss out at the weekend after suffering a calf injury in training.
Amorim already knew he would be without Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo against Newcastle United because of their participation at the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon, Morocco and Ivory Coast respectively.
Harry Maguire will also not feature against the Magpies on Boxing Day night as he continues to deal with a thigh injury. Matthijs De Ligt will also miss out after suffering a back injury.
On the Dutchman, Amorim said: “I think he has something in his back. I don't know for sure. Sometimes you see it's not a big injury - he finished the game quite well against Palace - but sometimes he feels a little pain, and we have to be careful.”
Casemiro, though, will be back in contention for selection on Friday night after serving a one-match ban at Villa Park. The Brazilian had picked up five yellow cards ahead of their trip to the midlands and was thus forced to sit out of that defeat.