Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim confirms injury blow as Roy Keane blasts Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United’s season took another downward turn as they were thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle on Sunday, piling even more pressure onto their Europa League clash with Lyon

With Easter just around the corner, Manchester United have put all their eggs in one basket after their thrashing by Newcastle. United were demolished 4-1 by the Magpies at St James’ Park, recording their 14th defeat in the Premier League campaign with six games still left to play, meaning their whole season rides on Thursday’s game against Lyon.

They could still make history, with their 16 league defeats in the 1989/90 campaign in their sights after they pulled level with last season’s unwanted tally. Newcastle followed Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham in completing the league double over United, with Harvey Barnes netting a brilliant brace in the second half.

Amorim decided to make a splash by dropping Andre Onana from the squad and handing a first Premier League start to Altay Bayindir, as well as Harry Amass, but the changes didn’t have the desired effect. Bayindir made a dreadful mistake for Newcastle’s fourth goal – and there was further bad news for United around every corner.

They face Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, knowing that their only chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season relies on that competition. Here are the latest headlines involving the club.

READ MORE: Roy Keane’s brutal Man Utd rant IN FULL after Newcastle loss: ‘They’re not good at anything!’READ MORE: Ruben Amorim pulls no punches with damning Man Utd verdict – “We have to accept that”

Amorim confirms injury

Joshua Zirkzee will miss the all-important Lyon game after limping off with a suspected hamstring injury. The United striker pulled up while sprinting in the second half and was replaced by Rasmus Hojlund.

“We had to make [a] rotation because we are trying to recover in two days from each game,” Amorim told MUTV. “But trying to win this game also. Josh, I think he will be out for some games. So, let’s focus on the next one.”

Amorim also refused to be drawn on whether Onana would come straight back into the side for the Lyon game, having been dropped from the squad altogether on Sunday. “You guys have to wait,” he said. “We are going to start the next week tomorrow and then I’m going to choose the best starting XI for the next one.”

Keane slams Fernandes again

Roy Keane has been open in his dislike of Bruno Fernandes’ leadership style this season and he took aim at the United skipper once again on Sunday. Fernandes was the player chosen to do the post-match interview on Sky Sports and his all-too-familiar role didn’t go down well with Keane.

“When I listen to Bruno, I have question marks about his leadership,” Keane said. “He certainly isn’t getting any help around him, it must be tough playing in that midfield when the expectation is on him because that’s unfair on him. But when he’s doing his chats about supporters and this, to me it’s just soundbites. There is no meaning to it. I’m not sure this United group are an honest group.

“The best players put demands on me. That’s what real good team-mates do. These aren’t team-mates, they are bluffers.”

Fernandes frustrated

Bruno Fernandes was forced to admit his frustrations in his post-match interview. The United skipper was withdrawn in the second half, as Amorim prioritised keeping his key players fit for the Lyon game, and he was seen screaming in annoyance watching the final minutes.

He told Sky Sports: “My team-mates – I only get frustrated with them because I know how good they can be. I know how tough it is to represent this club. They want so much to give to the club, to win because they know how much they will be remembered if they win something with this club.

“On Thursday [against Lyon in Europa League quarter-final] we go forward, we create a big atmosphere in our stadium, we need to be on the front foot and give everything we have because we want to get to the semi-final.”

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