Man Utd’s three heroes from stunning victory vs Newcastle are all unavailable, for different reasons

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Manchester United can grant every fan’s biggest wish of the festive season by beating Newcastle on Boxing Day, but must do so with a depleted squad.

Newcastle have become a bit of a bogey side for Manchester United over the past few years, and Boxing Day threatens to be more of the same.

In a repeat of Boxing Day 2019, when United beat Newcastle 4-1, the two sides meet with the victor claiming a key blow in the European football race.

United are at a disadvantage, with a long list of absences for a variety of reasons.

This includes United missing Bruno Fernandes through injury, which is a problem that the club has struggled to deal with over the years.

Manchester United’s record without Bruno Fernandes is not great…

What is your biggest fear about Bruno being out of action?

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Bruno is joined on the absentee list by several teammates, leaving United short in several positions and far from full strength, against a team that has become a bit of a bogey opponent.

This includes missing the three goal scorers from the last time the Red Devils beat the Magpies.

Manchester United without any player from the stunning win vs Newcastle in 2024

United have won just one of the last six games against Newcastle, losing the other five, and so this is a game that Amorim needs to win.

This wait for a win goes back to when United beat Newcastle 3-2 in May 2024, on the lead up to the FA Cup final.

Will Manchester United win vs Newcastle on Boxing Day? What is your prediction?

Why is our recent record vs Newcastle so bad?

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In this game, United had three goalscorers with two strikes having assists, with none of the players involved in the goals available to play on Boxing Day.

• 1st: Kobbie Mainoo goal, Amad assist
• 2nd: Amad goal
• 3rd: Rasmus Hojlund goal, Bruno Fernandes assist

Mainoo is currently out injured, while Amad is at AFCON with the Ivory Coast, missing over a month of action for United.

Hojlund is on loan at Napoli this season, and additionally, the biggest blow of all is Fernandes’ hamstring injury.

Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount need to be match winners for Manchester United

Without so many of the club’s best players, including Bryan Mbeumo, it will take a big effort from United’s remaining attacking players to win the game.

Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha, in particular, will be called upon to step up and fill the creative and goalscoring void without Fernandes; otherwise, the next month could be a very long one.

It is possible that Fernandes is in his last season anyway, which should be even greater motivation for the pair to step up and prove they can replace the Portuguese captain.

Cunha, in particular, feels likely to do this, with his seasons at Wolves developing his saviour traits, which Fernandes has, so don’t be surprised to see the Brazilian better than ever.