United will have to make the trip to Tyneside without a key defender, as they look to cement their spot in the UEFA Champions League for next season.
On Wednesday evening, Manchester United will make the trip to the North East to face Newcastle United on match day 29 of the Premier League season.
The game presents a brilliant opportunity for United to put their Champions League spot challengers at arm's length as we enter the run-in. It also gives Michael Carrick the chance to be only the second manager in Premier League history to take 26 points from his first 10 games in the competition.
But, if United are to do that, they will have to do it without a key player. Indeed, as it has been officially confirmed that central defender Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out of the game.
This is quite a shame for Carrick's side. Martinez has been in excellent form since his appointment, both defensively and in build-up. The team has won both games since he has been sidelined, but there seems to be a difference in the way the team has been building up.
You'd imagine that Carrick will go with the partnership of Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire, who have started the last two games. That said, the former did lose Maxence Lacroix for the Crystal Palace goal, and with Ayden Heaven being left-footed, he could get the nod for this one - we will see.
Although we saw Maguire be subbed against Palace, Carrick suggested there is no injury there. With his excellent form in the last couple of months, we can probably expect to see him start this game too.
In better news, it is being reported that Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade is ill and hasn't trained since the weekend, which would be a boost for United, but that is unconfirmed as of right now. Keep an eye out for that one.
The one worry with Martinez is that we have seen this sort of story before. An injury sold as minor, and then slowly but surely they are out for long periods of times. There was suggestion that Matthijs de Ligt would not be out for long, and he hasn't been seen - on the pitch or even in full training - since the 30th of November. So you know.
You'd imagine that Carrick will be asked about the Argentine defender before the game tomorrow, so perhaps we will know more then. Though he does feel like a manager who likes to keep his cards close to his chest.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!