Ruben Amorim confirms two key absences for Manchester United vs. Newcastle

Coming off a tough loss to breakout Premier League title contenders Aston Villa and the magic of Morgan Rogers, Manchester United are in need of a statement against another tough opponent this weekend in Newcastle United.

The task will be even taller, though, with both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo out for the AFCON tournament, as well as injury woes to star midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.

Fernandes suffered a soft tissue injury against Aston Villa last weekend, adding injury to insult. The elite playmaker has been Man United’s best player for years, so missing him for an extended period of time, which Ruben Amorim had hinted at after the game, would be a devastating blow to their top four hopes.

Meanwhile, Mainoo was a late scratch from the Villa game entirely with a calf injury, also leaving him in serious question for this coming matchup against Newcastle.

According to Ruben Amorim, neither Bruno Fernandes nor Kobbie Mainoo will be available this weekend for Manchester United vs. Newcastle United. Amorim implied that Mainoo’s injury is not as serious, though, “I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno”.

Between the two players, Fernandes is more central to Man United’s plans than Mainoo, who has mostly been cast aside on the bench. But with Fernandes potentially out for longer, Mainoo may finally get opportunities to shine under Amorim, who has been puzzingly against the young England midfielder.

Regardless, Manchester United are in trouble against Newcastle without all of Mbeumo, Diallo, Fernandes, and Mainoo. These are four of Man United’s most talented players. Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are going to have to step up big time to avoid embarassment.