Ahead of the Boxing Day clash against the Geordie's, Ruben Amorim delivered his updates regarding the injuries of Mainoo, De Ligt, Maguire and captain Bruno Fernandes.
The United boss confirms that both Mainoo and Bruno will be unavailable for the visit of Newcastle on Friday although adds that the academy product will return earlier than the skipper. De Ligt and Maguire remain absent.
Amorim says that youngster Jack Fletcher performed well in the defeat to Villa suggesting that he could provide an option in midfield due to the absentees: "I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job, and that’s why when we have these opportunities, we need to give space to guys like Jack and the other ones.”
The manager also doesn't want the team to become too reliant on one player, even one as influential as Bruno.
Amorim feels that youngsters Fletcher and Shea Lacey showed great attitudes during the last few weeks: "I don’t have that feeling that [they think] 'I’m a little bit different because I played for Man United.'"
He also said that he believes in his team despite the injuries: "I believe in the team."
Final Thoughts
Unsurprising team news although it's still disappointing. It does give us the chance to see how Amorim will setup differently and whether he will be open to trying something different (Martinez in midfield) or giving youngsters an opportunity. In a way I'm kind of looking forward to his lineup because he's now forced to do something unorthodox instead of being predictable as usual.
Ruben Amorim | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal