Manchester United is facing a significant crisis as they prepare to host Newcastle United on Boxing Day, with as many as eight players potentially unavailable for selection. The Red Devils' squad depth is being severely tested due to a combination of injuries and international duty call-ups, leaving manager Ruben Amorim with a selection headache.

The latest blow came during their recent 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, where captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off at halftime with a hamstring injury. Amorim confirmed that Fernandes sustained a soft tissue injury and is expected to miss several games. This is a major setback for United, as Fernandes is a key player and their primary creative force. "Everyone who watched the game knows that we were the better team, but we were unlucky, especially after Bruno Fernandes went off,” Amorim lamented after the Villa defeat.

Adding to Amorim's woes, young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was ruled out of the Villa match due to a calf injury sustained in training. Amorim indicated that Mainoo is likely to be sidelined for a few weeks, possibly ruling him out for the remainder of the year.

Manchester United are already without key defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, who are still recovering from their respective injuries. Maguire has been absent since early November with a thigh injury, while De Ligt has been nursing a back issue.

Furthermore, three players – Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui – are unavailable due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Their absence further depletes Amorim's options in attack and defense.

In midfield, Casemiro is expected to return to the starting XI after serving a one-match ban. However, Manuel Ugarte remains the only other available senior central midfielder, leaving Amorim with limited choices. Lisandro Martinez, who was introduced as a substitute for Fernandes against Villa, could also be an option in midfield. Youngster Jack Fletcher, who made his senior debut as a substitute in the same game, might also be in contention for a place in the squad.

Amorim has acknowledged the severity of the injury crisis but insisted that he will not use it as an excuse. He will need to find creative solutions and rely on the depth of his squad to overcome the challenges posed by Newcastle. "It's a soft tissue, I think he's going to lose some games, I don't know for sure. Let's see," Amorim said of Fernandes' injury. Despite the setbacks, Amorim remains optimistic about his team's ability to compete.

Newcastle will be looking to capitalize on Manchester United's injury woes and repeat their 2-0 victory at Old Trafford from last December. However, Amorim's side has shown improvements compared to their form last year. A big performance will be needed from the Magpies to secure all three points.