Manchester United trio ruled-out of Newcastle United clash - could miss 8 matches
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Newcastle United latest news: Manchester United will certainly be without three key players when they face Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Manchester United will be without a trio of key players when they host Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
The Red Devils have lost their last two games against the Magpies and have been beaten twice in three meetings on home turf against Eddie Howe’s side. Newcastle United completed their first Premier League double over the Red Devils last season, defeating Ruben Amorim’s side 2-0 at Old Trafford just before the turn of the year before supporting that with a 4-1 triumph at St James’ Park in April.
Their matchup on Boxing Day this year, the only Premier League game to take place that day, promises to be a very close encounter and one that could shape both teams’ European aspirations. With such a close game anticipated, therefore, fine margins could be the difference between the two teams - and the news that the hosts will be without three players due to international commitments is a major boost for Newcastle United.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui will all be away at the African Cup of Nations later this month and will miss Manchester United’s game with Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Mbeumo will represent Cameroon, Diallo will play for Ivory Coast whilst Mazraoui will feature for the host nation Morocco.
A FIFA ruling earlier this week permitted Premier League players to remain at their clubs until Monday 15 December before joining their nations for the start of AFCON. That ruling ensured that seven Sunderland players would be able to feature in the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 14 December.
Yoane Wissa to stay at Newcastle United during AFCON
Newcastle United, meanwhile, will not have any players heading to Morocco for AFCON following news that striker Yoane Wissa had not been included in the DR Congo squad for that tournament. Wissa is still yet to make his debut for the Magpies after being injured whilst on international duty with DR Congo in September.
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The former Brentford man has returned to training and taken part in training matches as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury. And he will continue that recovery on Tyneside during the African Cup of Nations.
DR Congo, who have two Sunderland players in their squad in the form of Sadiki and Masuaku, will play Benin, Senegal and Botswana in the group stage of AFCON with ambitions of going deep in the tournament.
DR Congo are also just one game away from qualifying for next summer’s World Cup and will play an inter-confederation match in March. Win that, and they will be playing in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Newcastle United are just one of four Premier League clubs that are not expected to have any players at the African Cup of Nations this winter following news that Wissa has not been included in DR Congo’s squad. League leaders Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United are the other three Premier League clubs that will not lose the services of any players during the tournament.
Premier League players featuring at AFCON could miss up to eight matches in total if their nation reaches the final of the tournament.