Manchester United missing Bruno Fernandes and another key player against Newcastle: predicted line-ups and talkSPORT coverage

Manchester United desperately need three points this weekend when they host Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The red devils They have lost their last two Premier League games and their last three in all competitions.

life under Ruben Amorim has not started as they would have wanted, and The wolves took over last time.

It leaves United in 14th place in the table and closer to the relegation zone than a place in the Champions League places.

A victory is essential, but Newcastle They are not a team you want to face at the moment, with Eddie HoweThe team won its last three with ease.

Man United vs Newcastle: predicted line-ups

The locals will miss their captain Bruno Fernandez for this match after being sent off against Wolves.

Fernandes is serving a one-match suspension after receiving two yellow cards at Molineux.

Besides that, Manuel UgarteAlso suspended is , who has started every league game since the beginning of December.

He has received five yellow cards before the threshold changes next week, meaning he will not be able to play at Old Trafford.

This means that Amorim will have to change their midfield for this match, with casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho potentially entering.

Casemiro looks the likely replacement for Ugarte in midfield, while Garnacho should slot in alongside Amad Diallo.

They will be behind Rasmus Hojlundwhile Christian Eriksen takes Kobbie Mainoo's place in a deeper role.

Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot He is expected to return to being a full-back, but Leny Yoro could lose his place as a centre-back.

The teenager was hooked after an hour against Wolves and Matthijs De Ligt can come in alongside Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire.

Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are injured while Mark Rashford is left out of Amorim's plans.

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As for Newcastle, there isn't much Howe wants to change.

His team has won its last three Premier League games 4-0, 4-0 and 3-0 and shows no signs of stopping.

Martin Dubravka covered the injured magnificently Nick Papa while the back four of Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall and Valentino Livramento have been brilliant.

Livramento was sick last time and couldn't play, but there are hopes he will return for this game on Monday.

A trio of midfielders formed by Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton They should keep their place ahead of Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.

And ahead of them will be the in-form Jacob Murphy on the right with Antonio Gordon to the left.

Alejandro Isak Of course, he will lead the line after scoring seven in his last five league games.

Harvey Barnes will be hoping for a start on the bench, while Callum WilsonJamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are injured.

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• No team has lost more Premier League games since the beginning of December than Manchester United (4). The last time they lost more league games in a single calendar month was in September 1962 (5).
• Newcastle have won their last three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 11-0. The last time they won four in a row was in March/April 2023 (5), while the last time they did so without conceding goals was in April 2012.
• Manchester United have lost four of their last five Premier League games, losing 3-0 against Bournemouth and 2-0 against Wolves in the last two. The Red Devils have not lost three consecutive league games without scoring since May 2015.

Man United vs Newcastle: What has been said?

Amad has shown his dedication to success at Man United by telling Amorim that he will play in goal if necessary.

The Ivorian has been deployed in multiple positions this season and is willing to occupy any spot in the team.

He told MUTV: “In football, this can happen. Don't focus on just one position.

“Sometimes you can play as a defender, sometimes as a forward. Wherever the coach puts me, I am ready to fight for the team.”

“I just want to play, right back, number 10, anywhere.

“I tell the coach that if he needs me as a goalkeeper, I am willing to give my best, I will fight for the team and for my teammates.

“I want to make history for this club.”

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• Alexander Isak has scored in each of his last five Premier League games, and Joe Willock was the last Newcastle player to score in six in a row (a streak of seven that ended in May 2021). Isak has also scored 24 Premier League goals in 2024, with only Alan Shearer scoring more in a calendar year for the Magpies (27 in 2002).
• Manchester United have lost just one of their last 39 home league games against Newcastle (28 wins, 10 draws), losing 1-0 in December 2013 under David Moyes.
• Newcastle have won two of their last three Premier League games against Manchester United (L1), as many as in their previous 16 against them (D4 L10).

Man United vs Newcastle: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, December 30.

Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game hosted by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England midfielder Danny Murphy.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through the talkSPORT appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will have you covered too, with updates on all the action available on our dedicated live blog here.