Manchester United have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their Premier League showdown against Newcastle United on Monday.
Bruno Fernandes picked up two yellow cards and will miss the game. The United captain made a needless challenge on Nelson Semedo just after the break and was dismissed.
He is the primary source of creativity, and the Red Devils will feel his absence. He is not the only player who has been suspended from the clash with Magpies.
Manuel Ugarte was booked for delaying the restart, marking his fifth yellow card of the season. He faces an automatic one-game suspension.
Ugarte’s absence will hurt United more than Fernandes’ suspension. He has been United’s best player over the last few games.
The midfielder moved to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain in a £50 million deal this summer.
Although it took him a little while to settle in England, he now appears to be in phenomenal form and confident in his role.
The Red Devils struggled in their 2-0 defeat to Wolves, but Ugarte played well. The midfielder was ‘everywhere‘ on the pitch.
Ugarte won all six of his duels and was accurate with his two long balls. He made four tackles, one interception and one clearance in his 63-minute display.
Manager Ruben Amorim made the unpopular call to substitute him due to fear of getting another booking.
United were down to ten men, and losing another player would have ended their hopes of competing in the game.
Casemiro is expected to replace Ugarte for the Newcastle clash.
Stats from sofascore.com & transfermarkt.com.
