Manchester United to face Newcastle without Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo on Boxing Day
Manchester United will be without Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo for their Boxing Day home Premier League match against Newcastle. Fernandes is sidelined due to a soft-tissue injury sustained against Aston Villa, while Mainoo is struggling with a calf problem and is expected to take longer to recover, although no specific timeline has been given.
Bruno Fernandes typically plays a crucial role in organising the team and managing set pieces, so his absence presents a significant challenge. Ruben Amorim, speaking on the matter, emphasized that Fernandes cannot be directly replaced and urged the squad to step up, framing the situation as a leadership opportunity for others to emerge.
The squad's options are further limited as Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo will be unavailable due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. This reduces resources for set pieces and pressing, increasing the need for leadership from other players such as Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw.
Eighteen-year-old Jack Fletcher, who made his United debut as a substitute at Villa Park, is considered a possible option to cover for Fernandes and Mainoo in the upcoming fixture, which is United's only Premier League match on Boxing Day.
