THE SECRET TACTICAL PLAN RUBEN AMORIM WILL USE TO REPLACE BRUNO FERNANDES
Ruben Amorim rules out Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo for the Newcastle clash as injury problems deepen today.
Ahead of Manchester United's Boxing Day home game against Newcastle, boss Ruben Amorim gave updates on Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo's fitness. United wants to recover from their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa and improve their chances of finishing in the top four. They've only gotten one point from their last two games.
Fernandes Left the Villa Game Early
Last weekend, Aston Villa beat United with two great goals from Morgan Rogers. Now, United is three points behind Chelsea, who are in fourth place. This week, Amorim's team has a chance to tie with Chelsea before Chelsea plays Aston Villa on Saturday night.
The loss at Villa Park was even worse because captain Fernandes had to be subbed out at halftime with a possible hamstring issue. He'll probably be out until the New Year. This is tough for Amorim, since Fernandes has been key in United's midfield this season.
Before Friday's game, Amorim updated everyone on Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, who didn't play against Villa because of an injury.
Amorim on Four Players' Fitness
At the pre-Newcastle press conference, Amorim said about Fernandes and Mainoo, "They won’t play this game; they're still getting better." I think Kobbie will be back sooner than Bruno. I have an idea when, but we'll see. We have other players, and we might need to try some different strategies.”
Amorim also said that centre-backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt would miss the Newcastle game due to hamstring and back problems. We're still working with them. "They can't play this one, but we'll see about the next game," he said.
On a brighter note, Amorim praised academy players Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey, who both made their debuts as subs against Villa. Jack Fletcher was great, and that’s why we need to give chances to guys like him, Amorim said.
About Fletcher and Lacey's debuts, Amorim added, "They're normal, good kids." They’ve been great this week. They haven't changed just because they played for Manchester United.
They’re focused, getting ready for the game, and they think they can play. That’s good. They’re the same as they’ve been for the past few weeks.
'No Replacing Bruno'
Fernandes' absence is a blow, and he's hoping to be back for the Manchester derby next month. Amorim said it's 'impossible' to replace him: It is impossible to replace Bruno. This morning, I told the team that this is a time for others to step up.
Not just with creating plays, but also with set pieces. He organises the team, and this is a chance for everyone to understand we can't rely on one player for everything.
We sometimes count on Bruno for organising and creating. We’ve lost Bruno in set pieces, so this is a big deal, but it’s a chance for players to show the leadership we need.”
About what the team loses without Fernandes, Amorim added, "Everything." He knows every position. He pays attention to everything. During set pieces or subs, he tells everyone where to be.
But this is great for guys like Licha, Luke Shaw, and others. We need more leaders to step up because this can happen to Bruno. It’s not common, but it can, so this is a big chance for the other guys.”
Several Absences for United
United will be missing several key players against Newcastle. Besides Fernandes, Mainoo, Maguire, and De Ligt, Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui are playing for Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Morocco, respectively, in the Africa Cup of Nations.
But Casemiro is back after missing the Villa game due to suspension.
GARETH BARRY URGES MANCHESTER UNITED TO SIGN ELLIOT ANDERSON FOR £100M
Gareth Barry identifies Elliot Anderson as the ideal Casemiro replacement as the Brazilian prepares to leave Man Utd.
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Gareth Barry, the former Premier League midfielder, thinks Manchester United should target Elliot Anderson to take Casemiro’s place. Casemiro, now 34, already said he’s leaving Old Trafford when his contract ends this summer.
United’s decision not to extend Casemiro’s deal fits with their plan to shake up the squad. They paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million for him in 2022, and with add-ons, the deal reached £70 million. Casemiro’s on big wages around £300,000 a week, which gets closer to £350,000 if United make the Champions League. There’s also uncertainty about Manuel Ugarte’s future. With both potentially on the way out, plenty of names are being floated as replacements.
Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Adam Wharton are all in the conversation, but Barry sees Anderson as the best option.
Talking to BOYLE Sports, Barry explained, “Manchester United will definitely be searching for someone to fill Casemiro’s shoes. Anderson isn’t the same kind of player, and there’s a big age difference, too. What he brings is pretty unique.
“I really rate Elliot Anderson. If you’re a United scout, you’re talking about him. Off the ball, there aren’t many better. He presses, he shuts down space, and he’s great at winning the ball back. Plus, he can play forward too.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel starts him for England over some big names, and why he could easily start at the World Cup. I’m sure he’s getting discussed in various boardrooms, not just at Manchester United.
“If a move’s going to happen, it’s better to get it over the line quickly. It just makes everything smoother for both clubs and the player, especially with a big tournament coming up.”
Barry added, “No one wants uncertainty hanging over Anderson while he’s focused on England at the World Cup. It doesn’t help anyone. And if he has a standout tournament, his price could easily go up.
“So if everyone agrees it’s time for a move, getting the deal sorted before the World Cup just makes sense.”
Even so, Nottingham Forest won’t be keen to let Anderson go. Since joining Newcastle in 2024, he’s become a vital part of their midfield. Forest supposedly set its price at £100 million, but their relegation fight could change things. Right now, Vitor Pereira’s squad sits 16th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. names and
FA CHARGES HARRY MAGUIRE FOR "IMPROPER BEHAVIOR" FOLLOWING COSTLY BOURNEMOUTH DISMISSAL
Michael Carrick’s side faces a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire is charged by the FA for improper conduct.
Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association over his conduct following the red card he received in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The defender was sent off after officials judged that he pulled back Evanilson inside the penalty area during their Premier League meeting last month. Maguire challenged the decision with both referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Matt Donohue once VAR confirmed the call.
That penalty allowed Junior Kroupi to score the equaliser, helping Bournemouth claw back a point against Michael Carrick’s side.
According to an FA statement, Maguire faces charges relating to improper behaviour and/or the use of abusive or insulting language towards the fourth official after his dismissal. He has until April 2 to respond to these allegations.
As things stand, Maguire is due to serve a one-match ban for the red card, which would rule him out of Manchester United's game against Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13. If his ban is extended following this charge, he could also miss the clash with Chelsea on April 18, an encounter that could be crucial, given United sit third and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for Champions League spots.
Earlier, Daily Mail Sport reported that Manchester United lodged a formal complaint with the PGMOL after the Bournemouth draw. The club were particularly frustrated over a denied second penalty, where Amad Diallo appeared to be brought down in the box while they led 1-0. Bournemouth then equalised through Ryan Christie in the ensuing play, and a VAR review did not overturn the decision, which may have swung momentum considerably.
Inside the United camp, there’s a sense that Maguire’s foul, which led to Bournemouth's second equaliser, mirrored the unpunished challenge on Diallo involving Adrien Truffert. That comparison fuels their belief that some decisions during the game didn’t go their way.
