Rúben Amorim’s final Marcus Rashford decision will come vs Newcastle – predicted Manchester United squad

Rúben Amorim must make a big call surrounding Marcus Rashford as he selects his Manchester United squad to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday.

Manchester United are set to face Newcastle United on Monday evening at Old Trafford in their final match of 2024, with Rúben Amorim striving to guide his team away from 14th place in the Premier League.

Three straight defeats to Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have heaped pressure on Amorim and his players, as poor displays have sparked widespread frustration among supporters.

While the squad continues to adapt to Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, recurring struggles with defending set pieces have proven costly over the past month.

With the festive fixture schedule in full swing, a home win against Newcastle offers a chance to end the year on a positive note. However, the Magpies will arrive full of confidence after their emphatic 3-0 victory over Aston Villa earlier in the week.

Amorim has a huge call to make on Rashford

Marcus Rashford has been left out of United’s last four squads, with Amorim citing “selection” as the reason on each occasion.

However, against Newcastle, Amorim will have up to six players unavailable due to either injury or suspension, meaning he does not have the luxury of leaving first-team players behind and will need to fill the rest of his squad with Academy players to make the numbers.

Although Amorim has continually stated that improvement in training will get Rashford back in the team, should he leave the winger out of the Newcastle squad, this would all but signify that there is no way back into the side, even if injuries mean United become depleted.

With United very much open to his sale this summer and his continued absence, this points to the conclusion that Rashford may not be included once again, and has therefore played his final minutes at the club.

Meanwhile, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte suspended and Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, and Mason Mount injured, Amorim must fill two more of his first-team spots should the remaining 18 who faced Wolves continue int he squad.

One of these spots may go back to Tyrell Malacia, who missed the Wolves game, and while the other could be filled by Rashford, but more likely could be Dan Gore, as Fernandes’ and Ugarte’s suspensions leave United light in the midfield department.

United predicted squad vs Newcastle

Starting XI: Onana, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot, Amad, Fernandes, Højlund.

Subs: Bayındır, De Ligt, Evans, Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Garnacho, Zirkzee.

Goalkeepers: André Onana, Altay Bayındır.
Defenders: Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia.
Midfielders: Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen.
Attackers: Amad Diallo, Rasmus Højlund, Joshua Zirkee, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho.