Manchester United faces a significant challenge as their squad is greatly reduced ahead of upcoming matches.
Players Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui are away representing their countries in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kobbie Mainoo will miss the Aston Villa game due to a calf injury, just as he was starting to compete for a position on the team.
The biggest setback is the absence of Bruno Fernandes, who will be out for a month after his injury against Villa.
Since joining the club in 2020, Fernandes has missed only three games due to injury, but he will miss more matches in the coming month than he has in the previous five years combined.
As the team’s key player, known for his goals and assists, this is a significant disadvantage for United.
Fortunately, Ruben Amorim will have Casemiro back for the Boxing Day match against Newcastle United after he was suspended for five yellow cards this season.
He also missed a previous game against Brentford after being sent off in the 2-1 win over Chelsea, where he scored the decisive goal.
Casemiro’s return is crucial for Amorim, especially with Mainoo and Fernandes unavailable. He currently has only Manuel Ugarte as an experienced midfielder to rely on.
Lisandro Martinez took Fernandes’ place in the Villa Park match, while academy player Jack Fletcher made his debut further up the pitch.
With Toby Collyer out on loan, Amorim has limited options in midfield, making Casemiro’s presence vital for United.
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