Manchester United will travel to St James’ Park on Sunday to face a depleted Newcastle United side, as Eddie Howe’s men grapple with a fresh wave of injuries.
The Magpies have endured a difficult season on the injury front and have now suffered another major blow with the loss of Joe Willock.
The midfielder picked up a concussion during the closing stages of their recent match against Brentford and missed the subsequent win over Leicester City.
As per Premier League protocols, players sidelined with head injuries must observe a mandatory twelve-day rest period unless exceptional circumstances apply—criteria Willock has not met.
As a result, he has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Newcastle’s growing list of absentees already includes centre-backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries, as well as Lewis Hall, who is nursing a foot problem.
There are also fresh concerns over Anthony Gordon, who remains a doubt with a groin issue and will undergo a late fitness test.
In more positive news for the hosts, striker Alexander Isak is expected to feature despite being substituted against Leicester due to fitness concerns.
Howe reassured supporters post-match, stating, “I think he’s 100% fit. I wouldn’t have taken any risk with him tonight if he wasn’t.”
Meanwhile, Man United are aiming to build on recent momentum.
Ruben Amorim’s side drew with their city rivals over the weekend and are targeting a strong performance against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Given the home side’s current injury woes, this weekend’s clash could represent United’s best chance yet to reverse their recent fortunes on Tyneside.
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Raj Dholakia
Raj is a seasoned digital writer and editor with a deep-seated passion for football. With over four years in the digital space, he has contributed to Sportlens, ManUtdNews, and is now proudly writing for The Peoples Person. His work is driven by a commitment to capture the essence of football, delivering content that speaks to the heart of fans worldwide.
