Boxing Day is one of the most anticipated dates in the Premier League calendar, and this year’s clash between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford promises to be a dramatic affair.
However, as both teams prepare for this high-stakes meeting, the conversation is dominated more by the treatment table than the tactics board.
Both managers are grappling with a significant number of absences, but the news coming out of the Manchester camp is particularly bruising for Ruben Amorim’s side.
The biggest headline for the Red Devils is the confirmed absence of their captain and talisman, Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder was forced off during a recent match against Aston Villa with a hamstring injury, and Amorim has now confirmed that the blow is a serious one.
While he stopped short of giving a specific timeline, the manager admitted that Fernandes will be sidelined for “a while.” Losing the creative heartbeat of the team is a massive setback, especially during the congested holiday period where leadership and vision are in high demand.
The midfield woes for the home side do not end there. Young star Kobbie Mainoo is also set to miss the Boxing Day fixture. He picked up a calf injury during a training session last Saturday, further thinning Amorim’s options in the middle of the park.
On a slightly more positive note, the coaching staff expects Mainoo to return to action much sooner than Fernandes, though that provides little comfort for the immediate task of facing a physical Newcastle side.
Defensively, Manchester United are also looking vulnerable. Both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have been ruled out of selection. Maguire is still working his way back from a hamstring issue of his own, while De Ligt is dealing with a nagging back injury.
While Amorim mentioned that both players are making progress in their recovery, neither is fit enough to bolster the backline for this encounter.
Newcastle United are facing their own set of challenges, though Eddie Howe has received a few glimmers of hope. There was a lot of concern surrounding Tino Livramento after he suffered a knee injury, but the latest updates suggest it may not be as severe as the fans first feared.
The club is still waiting for 100% clarification from the medical team, but there is a growing hope that he can get back to training soon rather than facing months on the sidelines.
The Magpies’ defensive rock, Sven Botman, is also on the road to recovery. He has been out with a back injury but is reportedly “not too far away” from being match-ready. However, since he has not yet joined the full group training sessions, it is highly unlikely that he will be risked at Old Trafford.
In a much-needed boost for the visitors, goalkeeper Nick Pope has a genuine chance to feature. Having recovered from a groin issue, his return to the starting lineup would provide a massive injection of confidence for a defense that has been stretched thin.
Even with those bits of good news, Newcastle’s overall absentee list remains staggering. They could be missing as many as eight senior players for this trip. Names like Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, and William Osula are all confirmed to be out, leaving Howe with very little room to rotate his squad.
Furthermore, international commitments have played a role for the home side. Manchester United are currently without Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui, who are all away competing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Interestingly, Newcastle has not been affected by the tournament this year, meaning their struggles are purely down to the injury bug.
To summarize the current state of both squads, here is the list of players expected to miss the match or who are currently under a fitness cloud:
Bruno Fernandes: Out with a significant hamstring injury sustained against Aston Villa.
Kobbie Mainoo: Missing due to a calf injury picked up in recent training.
Harry Maguire: Unavailable as he continues rehabilitation for a hamstring problem.
Matthijs de Ligt: Sidelined with a back issue, though recovery is moving forward.
Bryan Mbeumo: Away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Amad Diallo: Representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Noussair Mazraoui: Also unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sven Botman: Unlikely to play as he hasn’t returned to full team training yet.
Tino Livramento: Likely to miss out while waiting for final clearance on a knee injury.
Dan Burn: Confirmed absentee for the trip to Manchester.
Kieran Trippier: Not available for selection due to ongoing injury issues.
Emil Krafth: Ruled out of the Boxing Day clash.
Jamaal Lascelles: Remains on the long-term injury list.
William Osula: Will not be part of the traveling squad.
Nick Pope: A potential late inclusion if he passes fitness tests following a groin injury.
