Ruben Amorim has remained coy on his choice of Manchester United captain against Newcastle United, with Bruno Fernandes set to serve a one-match ban. Harry Maguire is in line to complete his renaissance after temporarily inheriting the armband when Fernandes was sent off in the Boxing Day defeat against Wolves.
And the 31-year-old could be in line to wear it from the get-go when Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Monday after battling his way into Amorim’s plans.
The Portuguese head coach awkwardly blanked Fernandes as his compatriot left the pitch in front of him, having received his third red card of the season.
And while Amorim has remained tight-lipped about his captaincy selection against Newcastle, he has heaped praise on Maguire and his level of focus.
“You will have to wait and see about the captain,” Amorim told reporters after the 2-0 defeat, courtesy of goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang-hee Chan.
He added: “He’s working really well. He’s focused on the job, not what people say. He has no excuses – even if he’s had some tough moments.
“In that respect, he’s an example. He’s there to play to help the team, and he’s trying to do that.”
Amorim warned United supporters that a storm was coming after overseeing a 4-0 win against Everton at the start of the month.
But it has arrived in the form of a tornado, resulting in the 39-year-old becoming the first United boss in 92 years to lose five of his first 10 matches in charge.
The Red Devils have tasted defeat in five of their last seven games in all competitions, including the previous three on the spin.
And with tests against Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal on the horizon, fears are growing that United will start 2025 with six consecutive losses.
Amorim understands he’s under pressure but is comfortable, having been clear about the magnitude of the job when he walked away from his successful reign at Sporting for Manchester.
“The manager of Manchester United can never know what’s comfortable,” Amorim explained.
“I know the business I’m in. If we don’t win, regardless of whether they pay the buy-out or not, every manager is in danger.
“I like that. That is our job. I understand the question. You can see I’ve been here for one month, but we are not winning. That’s a reality. I’m quite comfortable with that.”
Manuel Ugarte will also miss Newcastle’s visit to M16 after picking up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign in the Black Country.
