BREAKING NEWS: Ruben Amorim set to unleash £55m Man Utd star in shock new role vs Newcastle amid Bruno Fernandez injury and AFCON absentees
Manchester United suddenly find themselves staring into an unimaginably difficult situation at the worst possible time of the season.
The Red Devils host Newcastle United on Boxing Day and could be forced to cope without as many as seven senior players.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire have not played for weeks, with manager Ruben Amorim expected to provide an update in his upcoming press conference.
If that were not enough, captain Bruno Fernandes and midfield prodigy Kobbie Mainoo have both joined the growing list of injured absentees.
Problems exist all over the pitch, but it is the midfield crisis that threatens to keep Amorim awake at night.
With no room for excuses, the Portuguese head coach must now show ingenuity and extract solutions from within his depleted squad.
Arteta celebrates as Gunners secure victory at Hill Dickinson
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One intriguing option could see Mason Mount handed a completely new responsibility in midfield.
The former Chelsea star has featured primarily as a left-sided number 10 and even as a false nine this season, but circumstances may now force a positional rethink.
He could be now set for a spell in the number eight position, alongside Casemiro.
Fernandes was deployed in the midfield pivot but his main role was to play line-breaking passes for the front three.
Mount could be given the same role to set up chances for Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
The England international has put together a solid 2025-26 campaign.
He has three goals to his name in 14 league appearances this season.
The new role would demand far greater defensive responsibility, but Mount’s work rate and tenacity suggest he could handle it in the short term.
For the £55 million signing, this moment represents a golden chance to finally repay the patience of United supporters after a testing two-year spell.
Lisandro Martinez impressed as an emergency midfielder against Aston Villa but he is more suitable in his preferred left centre-back spot.
Manuel Ugarte has failed to impress at Old Trafford and does not deserve to start for United.
If Mount does start in midfield, Joshua Zirkzee or Shea Lacey could be given the right-sided number 10 spot.
