Manchester United's injury list has been building at one of the busier times of the season.
Ruben Amorim was largely able to manage his players' minutes well in part because of a lack of European football and the fact they exited the Carabao Cup very early (and in ignominious fashion) to Grimsby Town.
Yet a succession of injuries that have proven more troublesome than initially feared, coupled with a handful of stars heading off for the Africa Cup of Nations, has left the Red Devils in a tricky position.
Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to return, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.
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Man United injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Man United, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Bruno Fernandes
- Injury: Thigh
- Expected return date: January 11 (vs. Brighton)
Mainoo sustained a calf injury prior to the loss against Aston Villa on December 21. Amorim said he was unsure how serious it was, but around a month out seems likely at this stage.
Kobbie Mainoo
- Injury: Calf
- Expected return date: January 17 (vs. Manchester City)
United are awaiting the results of tests on Fernandes' injury. The captain looked to have hurt his hamstring in the 2-1 loss at Villa on and went off at halftime.
Matthijs de Ligt
- Injury: Lower back
- Expected return date: December 30
Amorim said De Ligt had been suffering back pain following the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on November 30 and has since been managing the centre-back carefully. After four games out, his return could come on Boxing Day, but it's more likely he will be back for the visit of Wolves four days later.
Harry Maguire
- Injury: Thigh
- Expected return date: Early January
Maguire's thigh injury sustained against Spurs in November was not expected to keep him out for too long, but he has missed all six of their league games since, and an imminent return seems unlikely.
Benjamin Sesko
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: December 15
Sesko suffered a knee problem against Spurs, but it was not as bad as Amorim had feared. The striker is expected to be out for around a month, so his return could come against Bournemouth at Old Trafford in mid-December.
Unavailable: Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo
Amad, Mazraoui and Mbeumo are away at the Africa Cup of Nations and will not return until at least early January.
Man United predicted lineup vs. Newcastle United
Here is the projected starting lineup when Man United face Newcastle on December 26.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Lammens (GK)
Yoro, Heaven, Shaw
Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu
Mount, Cunha
Sesko
Man United fixture schedule: Next five games
United have a run of four straight league games before the FA Cup third-round match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Man United vs. Newcastle United | Premier League | Friday, December 26
- Man United vs. Wolves | Premier League | Tuesday, December 30
- Leeds United vs. Man United | Premier League | Sunday, January 4
- Burnley vs. Man United | Premier League | Wednesday, January 7
- Man United vs. Brighton | FA Cup (3rd round) | Sunday, January 11