Newcastle United travel to Old Trafford on Boxing Day to take on Manchester United, and both teams will have a fair few of their players unavailable for the fixture.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe, in particular, will have to cope without up to eight players, with only one of them having a chance of returning for the trip to Manchester.

The Red Devils, meanwhile, are already without the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui due to the African Cup of Nations.

However, they also have four members of the first-team squad on the treatment table.

Who could be missing for Newcastle United?

Dan Burn (lung damage), Tino Livramento (knee), Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Sven Botman (back), Jamaal Lascelles (fitness), Emil Krafth (knee) and Will Osula (ankle) are not expected to be ready in time to feature.

Nick Pope is, however, close to making his comeback. The Magpies’ no.1 has not played since picking up a groin injury back in late November.

The keeper has missed the last seven matches in all competitions, including the 2-2 draw against Chelsea at the weekend.

Manchester United injury news

Captain Bruno Fernandes pulled his hamstring in the first half of the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday evening. The Portuguese international tried to play on, but he was forced off at halftime. He could be out for up to a month, according to initial estimates.

His potential replacement, Kobbie Mainoo, suffered a fitness setback just before the Villa game, picking up a calf injury. It isn’t known whether he will return to take on Newcastle.

Harry Maguire is said to be nearing his comeback from a hamstring issue that has kept him on the sidelines since early November, although he is still a doubt for Friday’s match. Matthijs de Ligt is in the same boat with a back problem.

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