Lisandro Martinez appears set for a Manchester United first in the Premier League for Monday’s clash against Newcastle United. Despite often making several changes between games, the Argentine has played 90 minutes in every league match he has been available for under Ruben Amorim.
Amad, Andre Onana and Bruno Fernandes are others to have mostly avoided mass rotation but the latter is guaranteed to miss out on the visit of Newcastle to Old Trafford. The Portugal international was sent off in the Boxing Day defeat to Wolves courtesy of two bookable offences.
It is the third time Fernandes has been dismissed this season, though he will only serve a one-match ban and thus be able to return against Liverpool. One of those sending-offs came in the Europa League while the straight red card shown to him in the defeat to Tottenham was rescinded.
As he was shown two separate cautions, there is no chance of that being repeated which will require Amorim to make at least one change. Manuel Ugarte, having accumulated five yellow cards, will also be banned for the home clash which makes a double alteration guaranteed.
Christian Eriksen, Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro will be the players pushing for a start but there is another big call awaiting Amorim. As Fernandes is United’s club captain, a different player will be leading out the team for the clash against the Magpies.
Former skipper Harry Maguire is one option but it looks set to be Martinez that takes on the responsibility. When Fernandes was sent off against Spurs and Wolves, Martinez took on the armband and therefore it seems highly likely he will wear it once again but this time from the off.
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