Manchester United will be without Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, manager Rúben Amorim has confirmed. Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford, Amorim revealed both midfielders are still recovering from injuries picked up in recent days.
Fernandes suffered a hamstring problem during the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, a game United lost late on, as reported by SoftFootball in their match coverage, while Mainoo missed that fixture entirely due to a calf issue sustained in training.
Amorim struck a cautiously positive tone when asked about their recovery, explaining that neither setback is expected to keep the players out for too long. He noted in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account that Mainoo’s return is likely to come sooner than Fernandes’, though he stopped short of offering an exact timeline.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo will miss next game vs Newcastle, says Rúben Amorim.
I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno.
The absence of Fernandes and Mainoo presents a real challenge for United, especially given the importance of control in midfield against an aggressive Newcastle side. Fernandes remains the team’s main creative outlet, while Mainoo has grown into a key figure for balance and ball progression.
Amorim, however, insisted the squad is prepared to adapt. He confirmed Casemiro is available again after serving a one-match suspension and hinted that younger players could be trusted if needed. Jack Fletcher, in particular, was mentioned as someone who has trained well and impressed the staff.
United’s problems do not stop there. Several players are also unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments, stretching options even further at a busy point in the season. Long-term absentees Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are still working their way back, with no immediate return dates set.
Despite the setbacks, Amorim remained calm and pragmatic. He stressed that injuries are part of the season and believes the squad has enough quality to compete. Whether that proves true against Newcastle will be tested very soon, especially without two of United’s most influential midfielders.
