Overview
- Manager Ruben Amorim described Bruno Fernandes’ issue as a soft‑tissue hamstring injury and said he will miss games, with a further fitness update expected before the Newcastle match.
- The Times and Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth report Manchester United are now highly unlikely to allow Kobbie Mainoo to leave in January following Fernandes’ setback.
- Mainoo has pushed for more playing time and has been linked by reports to Napoli and Chelsea, but talk of a winter exit has cooled in light of United’s reduced midfield options.
- The midfielder missed the Aston Villa defeat with a calf problem and is a doubt for Newcastle, according to Amorim.
- Separate reports say United are assessing midfield signings, with Conor Gallagher or Ruben Neves viewed as more attainable in January and broader additions expected in the summer.