Newcastle United are without a staggering eight senior players for this evening’s Carabao Cup fourth round clash away to Manchester United.
It’s been non-stop for the Magpies on the injury front over the last week or so with Alexander Isak (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder) and Elliot Anderson (back) joining the list. And that’s not including Sandro Tonali, who is banned for the next 10 months following an investigation into illegal betting activity.
The latest blow was revealed by United boss Eddie Howe during his pre-Man United press conference on Tuesday. Sven Botman has been sidelined since September because of a knee issue. It was hoped the Dutchman was closing in on a return but he hasn’t yet got a return date.
With Arsenal and Bournemouth still to play in the Premier League, as well as Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, before the November international, Howe will make wholesale changes at Old Trafford tonight with the likes of Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Paul Dummett and Matt Targett set to start.
Man United are also predicted to make changes to their starting XI. Erik ten Hag is without five first-team players, and there are doubts over two. Here’s the early team news ahead of this evening’s clash:
5. Jadon Sancho - out
Sancho’s refusal to apologise to Erik ten Hag has seen him frozen out of the first-team squad. | Getty Images
6. Sandro Tonali - out
Tonali has been handed a 10 month ban from football following an investigation into illegal betting activity by the Italian Football Federation. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Amad Diallo - out
The former Sunderland loanee is edging closer to a return but won’t be available tonight. | Getty Images
8. Harvey Barnes - out
Barnes is currently sidelined with a toe injury and won’t return until late December. | Getty Images