Newcastle United head to Manchester United in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
It’s another huge game for Eddie Howe’s side and their first away trip since the dreadful defeat at Sunderland earlier this month.
Away form has been an issue at Newcastle United for months now, so fans could be forgiven for having little optimism for the clash at Old Trafford.
AGREE OR DISAGREE: Eddie Howe hasn’t had it easy this season, but he should be doing much better
Indeed, this Newcastle team still do not fully convince and it would hardly be much of a surprise if their poor away form continued at the Theatre of Dreams.
Still, Ruben Amorim’s side are not all that convincing themselves and they have been dealt a major blow ahead of the game on Boxing Day.
Bruno Fernandes to miss Manchester United vs Newcastle United due to injury
The Red Devils lost to Aston Villa on Sunday and also lost influential captain Bruno Fernandes to injury.
The Portugal international was forced off at the break, with some suggesting he had injured his hamstring.
After the game, Amorim confirmed Fernandes was likely to be missing for a while, due to the nature of the injury.
“I think it’s soft tissue so it’s going to be a while. We’ll see,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
If you could go back in time and tell Eddie Howe one thing during his half-time team talk, what would it be?!
Bruno Fernandes’s record against Newcastle United
Fernandes, while a divisive figure at times, is one of his side’s better players.
There is little doubt that missing him is a major blow for Amorim, who is already without Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
In 11 games against Newcastle, Fernandes has scored three goals while registering two assists.
He’s won five of those games, drawing two and losing the other four.
Fernandes is generally an ever-present for Amorim’s side and they will be weaker due to his absence.
However, the chaos continues at Newcastle and there’s no absolute guarantee that Howe’s side will pick up three points.
They’ve won only one away game in the Premier League since April and desperately need to improve.
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