Manchester United have five players a card away from suspension, but Covid postponements could see them arrive at St James’ Park with no bans and fully rested.
Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw are all on four yellow cards, meaning they would be banned for one match if they pick up a card between now and their visit to St James' Park on December 27.
However, Manchester United may not play again before then due to outbreaks of Covid throughout the Premier League. One of their two fixtures during that period, a trip to Brentford, has already been postponed.
Go here for the latest Newcastle United transfer updates
United put out a statement yesterday which said: “Following PCR confirmation of positive LFT Covid-19 tests among the first-team staff and players, the outbreak requires ongoing surveillance.
“A decision was taken to close first-team operations at the Carrington Training Complex for 24 hours to help minimise risk of further infection, and individuals who tested positive are isolating in line with Premier League protocols.”
Now their match against Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday has also been thrown into doubt, with Brighton also experiencing a Covid outbreak.
Newcastle United also face the other Manchester side over the Christmas period. City have two players on five yellow cards - Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte - but both of them will have already served their one-match bans before the trip to St James'.
With no City players on four yellow cards, and their only fixture before Newcastle being against Leeds United, only a red card would result in any of them being banned against the Magpies, meaning the champions will likely visit the North East fully loaded.
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
