Man United predicted line-up vs Newcastle: two changes made including big Martinez and Casemiro calls

Manchester United and Newcastle United will do battle in the Premier League’s only Boxing Day fixture on Friday, as the Red Devils look to put on a show for a large anticipated audience for a crunch fixture against the Magpies.

United sit four places above their opponents in the league table but they are separated by a margin of three points, which could be wiped out if Eddie Howe’s side leave Old Trafford with a victory and plenty of festive cheer.

Things are looking slightly ominous for the Red Devils, who saw captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes substituted with a hamstring injury at half-time during their defeat at Aston Villa last time out. With three first-team regulars also away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Ruben Amorim’s squad is down to its bare bones at present and will be in need of quick additions when the transfer window opens on January 1st.

Man United predicted starting XI to face Newcastle

United had a severe lack of defensive options fit and available to Amorim for the 2-1 defeat at Villa Park and that it likely to remain the case on Friday, with Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire both likely to remain out injured unless some form of Christmas miracle takes place.

With that in mind, teenage duo Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro look set to continue at the back despite their inconsistent performances as of late, while Luke Shaw will retain his newfound position as left of the back three in front of goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

At wing-back, a similar lack of options plagues Amorim as both Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are competing at AFCON. Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot will, therefore, be given the opportunity to stake their claim to being the Portuguese head coach’s first-choice wide duo over the coming weeks.

Amorim will need to replace Bruno Fernandes after skipper’s injury blow

The biggest selection dilemmas the United boss will face ahead of Boxing Day come in the middle of the park. Namely, in terms of who should replace Bruno Fernandes if he is out for several weeks, as feared.

With no natural replacement available in the squad for the captain’s creative and attacking output, Amorim may opt for a more solid approach to limit Newcastle’s ability to control the game in the middle of the park. With Kobbie Mainoo also sidelined through injury and linked with an exit, the returning Lisandro Martinez put in a solid shift in midfield when he replaced Fernandes at Villa Park, and will look to continue in the position.

Casemiro should also return to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension, reclaiming his place from Manuel Ugarte. Casemiro has proven his doubters wrong and become a key midfield linchpin this term, though his long-term future at the club remains in doubt.

In the attacking third, Mason Mount has been a reliable performer in recent weeks while Matheus Cunha has begun to find his goal-scoring touch following his big-money summer move from Wolves. The pair will continue behind Benjamin Sesko, amidst the AFCON exploits of key man Bryan Mbeumo. Sesko has flattered to deceive in his early months at Old Trafford but is likely to be preferred over Joshua Zirkzee, who is reportedly keen on a January exit and has attracted interest from Roma.

Full predicted starting XI (3-4-2-1): Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Martinez, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko.