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Manchester United XI vs Newcastle: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest
Dec 26 2025 19:16 · By onefootball.com · 165 Reads
Ruben Amorim finds solution for fresh selection dilemma after injury blow
Manchester United must find a way to cope without Bruno Fernandes when they play Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Fernandes faces up to a month out with the injury he sustained at Aston Villa and Ruben Amorim has to navigate a key period of the season without his captain.
Amorim has described the injury as a “soft-tissue” problem and Fernandes could miss as many as seven games in all competitions.
Kobbie Mainoo remains sidelined with a calf injury but United have Casemiro back from suspension against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes is facing a spell out after being forced off against Aston Villa before Christmas
Manchester United via Getty Imag
Lisandro Martinez moved into midfield when Fernandes went off at Villa Park and could play alongside Casemiro , though Amorim has been considering a switch from his 3-4-3 system.
Martinez has not started a game since February and Manuel Ugarte will get the nod if he is not ready to start.
“No, not for this game," said Amorim when asked in his pre-match press conference if Fernandes and Mainoo would be available.
“They are recovering. I don't think that it is going to take a lot of time. Kobbie is going to return faster than Bruno.”
When pushed on how long Fernandes might be out, Amorim said: “I don't want to say. I have an idea of course, but let's see.”
It does seem to be a back three today, comprising of Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Ayden Heaven.
Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot start as the two wing-backs with Noussair Mazraoui away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko remain as the front three in Fernandes’ absence.
Man United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Heaven, Mount, Cunha, Dorgu, Casemiro , Shaw, Ugarte, Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee
Injured: Fernandes, Mainoo, Maguire, De Ligt
Unavailable: Amad, Mbeumo, Mazraoui
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Friday December 26, 2025
How to watch: Sky Sports
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester