Overview
- Fernandes suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa and was withdrawn at half-time, with Amorim declining to give a firm timeline as reports suggest a roughly one-month absence.
- The manager stressed Fernandes' leadership on set-pieces and game organization, urging others to assume those duties and naming potential voices like Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
- Casemiro is set to return from suspension, and Mount is viewed as the likeliest midfield partner, with alternatives including Manuel Ugarte, a look at Jack Fletcher, or even Martinez in midfield.
- Options in attack are being reshuffled because Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are at AFCON, with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Joshua Zirkzee under consideration and youngster Chido Obi also available.
- United face Newcastle on Boxing Day sitting seventh with 26 points from 17 matches, and Amorim expressed confidence that focus and internal adjustments can carry the team through this stretch.