‘Estevao and Delap back in contention’ – Maresca confirms double Chelsea fitness boost
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United host Eddie Howe’s side on Boxing Day as they look to bounce back from their last Premier League match, a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
And Amorim’s selection has been hampered by the injuries to Fernandes and Mainoo, adding further complications alongside the enforced absences of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui, who are representing their respective nations at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Amorim confirmed that neither Fernandes nor Mainoo would be fit to face Newcastle, but would not be drawn on how long Fernandes would be out of action for.
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‘We were the better team’ – Amorim frustrated after Man Utd lose at Villa
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He said: “No, not for this game (Newcastle), they are recovering. I don’t think it will take a lot of time, I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno.”
On the extend of Fernandes’ injury, Amorim said: “I don’t want to say. I have an idea, of course, but let’s see. We have other players, we need to maybe see different ways of playing.”
United used defender Lisandro Martinez in midfield during the defeat to Villa; Amorim also confirmed Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are unavailable.
He added: “We are still working with (Maguire and De Ligt). They are not available for this one, but let’s see for the next one.”
Fernandes has been an integral part of United’s side since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, but Amorim said he felt his injury provided an opportunity for other squad members to step up.
He explained: “It is impossible to replace Bruno but I say that this morning to the team, I think we need to take the good thing if there is a good thing on that, that a lot of people need to step up.
“It is not just the creation, it is every set piece he is the guy who is organising the team and that is a good opportunity for everyone to step up and understand that we can’t rely on one player for everything.
“Sometimes we rely on Bruno in the organisation, in the creation. We lost Bruno in set pieces we lost Bryan (Mbeumo) in those set pieces so this is massive for the team but it is an opportunity for players to step up and to show the leadership we need in the team.”
United currently sit in seventh place, a marked improvement on last season’s lowest-ever Premier League result of 15th, though they are still beset by the inconsistency that has been a hallmark of Amorim’s time at Old Trafford.
