Manchester United face seven absences while Newcastle have eight missing players; Amolin is confident of victory and urges two players to step up in Bruno Fernandes' absence.

Manchester United will host Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Although Newcastle are struggling in the standings, the Red Devils’ shortage of players makes it difficult for coach Ruben Amolin. Mbemou, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui are confirmed absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, De Ligt, and Maguire continue to be unavailable due to injury.

Regarding Manchester United’s injury situation, Amolin said: “I believe Cody (Gakpo) will return before Bruno (Fernandes). I don’t think it will take too long. However, for the Newcastle match, they definitely won’t be involved. I have some ideas but prefer to wait and see. We have other players and may need to try different tactics. I think Jack Fletcher has performed very well, so this is an opportunity to give Jack and others more chances.”

Amolin also hopes that center-backs De Ligt and Maguire will recover in time for the final match of the year against Wolves. “We are still working with both of them on their injuries. They won’t be able to play in this game, but let’s see how things go for the next match,” Amolin said.

With seven players absent, Amolin’s squad options are very limited. Up front, only Cunha, Mason Mount, Sheshko, and Zirkzee are available; midfield consists of Casemiro, Ugarte, and the emergency option Lisandro Martinez; center-backs are Lenny Yaro, Eden Haven, Luke Shaw, and Lima; while full-back options are limited to Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dogu.

Therefore, young academy players like Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey, and Diego Leon are expected to get chances. Fletcher and Lacey made their debuts against Aston Villa. Amolin commented: “They performed normally and are good kids. They played well this week, and I didn’t notice any difference because they are Manchester United players. They are very focused, prepared for the game, and confident in their abilities. This is a good state, no different from what I’ve seen in recent weeks.”

When asked about the impact of missing Bruno Fernandes, Amolin admitted the captain is irreplaceable. “Everything, really everything. He knows every position on the field and pays attention to every detail. When the team adjusts personnel, he always reminds teammates where to position themselves. We can’t find a replacement for Bruno, but I pointed out in this morning’s team meeting that if there is an advantage or favorable condition, we must seize it, meaning many players need to step up and take on more responsibility.”

Amolin urged two players to take on greater roles: “For players like Lisandro (Martinez) and Luke Shaw, this is undoubtedly a great opportunity. We need more leaders like this to step up and shoulder bigger responsibilities. Because this kind of situation rarely happens to Bruno, it represents a significant chance for other players.”

What gaps do other Manchester United players need to fill? Amolin explained: “It’s not just about organizing attacks but also every set-piece, which Bruno usually coordinates for the whole team. So now, all players have a great opportunity to realize that we can’t rely on just one player. Sometimes, we do depend on Bruno for attack organization and chance creation, but losing Bruno and Mbemou for set-pieces is a huge blow for the entire team. At the same time, this provides a platform for other players to show leadership and take on more responsibility.”

Manchester United have failed to win their last three home matches. When asked if they could beat Newcastle with a depleted squad, Amolin expressed confidence: “I believe Manchester United can win any match. Of course, we have encountered some issues, but even with some players missing, I still have full confidence in our team and believe we can win any game. It will definitely be tougher, but I want to emphasize again that I trust my players. As long as they stay focused and give their best on the pitch, we will win.”

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have no players participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, but their injury list is actually longer than Manchester United’s, with an expected eight players sidelined. Confirmed absentees include Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Emil Kraft, Jamal Russell, and Will Osula. Full-back Tino Livramento and goalkeeper Nick Pope are also injured and likely to miss the match.