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Man Utd v Newcastle team news: Martinez starts

26 December 2025 948 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The festive fixture bonanza begins tonight at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Newcastle United.

The 20:00 GMT kick-off not only gets Gameweek 18 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) underway but also begins a run of 40 Premier League matches in 14 days.

TEAM NEWS

How will United get on without Bruno Fernandes? This is the first time he’s been absent from a league squad in almost exactly a year, with his last missed match ironically being Newcastle at home in December 2024. The Red Devils lost 2-0.

He’s injured and makes way from the line-up tonight but Casemiro returns from a one-match suspension to take his place.

Lisandro Martinez also comes in for his first United start in over 10 months. He replaces Leny Yoro in the only other alteration Ruben Amorim has made to the side beaten at Aston Villa.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are unchanged from the 2-2 draw with Chelsea last Saturday.

There’s no Anthony Elanga, who reportedly has an ankle injury.

Nick Pope does make his return after a month out with a groin issue but is only among the substitutes.

£4.4m FPL midfielder Lewis Miley continues at right-back.

LINE-UPS

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu, Mount, Cunha, Sesko.

Subs: Bayindir, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Fredricson, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato.

Newcastle United XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

Subs: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Willock, A Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi.

price change predictions
948 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Gonna need Dorgu on FH now 😆

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  2. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Damn I had him in my starting team this season lol

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    1. Bennerman
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      That was nearly half a season ago, not sure you can claim that!

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      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        I had Dalot, very briefly, last season!

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    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Same, was rubbish ofc

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  3. z13
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Assist?

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      1. z13
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Dalot i think

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        • Amartey Partey
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Woltemade

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          1. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Another error

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        • Joyce1998
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Dalot

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      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Woltemade headers it away I thought, how is it a Dalot assist?

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        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Cross, and the clearance wasnt out of the box so he gets it. New rules this season.

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          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            No way can you argue Dalot was the intended target though lol

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            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 9 days ago

              Like I said, new rules. Go read them..

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      3. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Cunha is lively and selfish (good for FPL)... but without Bruno, Mbeumo AND Amad hes really lacking attacking quality around him.

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      4. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        I frigging changed my bench order numerous times with Wilson in the starting XI and last minute put Minteh 1st sub ahead of Dalot second sub

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      5. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Already regretting the Gordon pick. Was the only choice at the price point to allow for Ekitike, but even if he does get a return here he’s not a long term pick, especially with the minutes issue.

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        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Burnley Leeds and Wolves in 3/4 after today’s game. Easy keep

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          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            If he actually plays half them

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      6. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Had Dorgu for ages and now he's playing OOP all of sudden lol ofc ofc

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      7. Manani
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        on FH,

        seems like
        3x LIV, MUN, MCI, NEW
        (minus 1 from one of the team)

        is the way to go right? just ignore arsenal for 1 week

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        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Bulk of City, United, Pool players & sprinkling of others.

          Also on FH will start playing over weekend.

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      8. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Have Wilson on the bench, Wilson will start and get a Hattie

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        1. WVA
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          No chance, blanks again

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      9. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        United already look less vulnerable without bruno

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        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          They look extremely toothless without

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          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            They’re gurning to get him back!

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          2. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            what game are u watching? its a good balance between defence and attack. none of the ridiculous leaving huge gaps in midfield with his zero positional awareness

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            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 9 days ago

              Has nothing to do with Bruno and all about the formation. Your hate for Bruno is moronic, making up stuff to fit your agenda.

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              1. Nightcrawler
                • 6 Years
                3 months, 9 days ago

                oh dear clearly only watch football with an fpl lense. Bruno is not a CM

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                1. Brosstan
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 9 days ago

                  Bruno is United's best player by far. Pretending that he is the issue with United and not the formation is moronic. Im pretty sure you know as well which makes your comments even more pathetic.

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                  1. Nightcrawler
                    • 6 Years
                    3 months, 9 days ago

                    bruno is not united's best player when he is playing CM, maybe if he starts playing as a 10..also trolls should not be name calling so nice one

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        2. Manani
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          it is more because of the formation change

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          1. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            u put bruno in there as cm and its bournemouth man united all over again

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      10. TheBiffas
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Thiaw needs to run up the defcons or he's gone, regardless of the fixtures

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        1. Bennerman
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          We've just emailed his people, thanks

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          1. TheBiffas
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Funny

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      11. Total Slotball
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        any lewis potter, dorgu owners? listed as defenders playing in attack lol

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        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          I wanted Lewis Potter but Bruno injury scuppered that plan

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        2. Bennerman
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Scenes, bro! Insane

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        3. Haa-lala-land
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          I captained KLP this week 😀

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      12. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        I've -4 from 0 players so far

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Skill

          Rather than luck there

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      13. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        He is so selfish 😆

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      14. mattyb09
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Those worried about Cunha's returns without Bruno,Mbeumo, Amad forgot he scored 15 goals 7 assists last year with absolutely no quality around him

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        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          He was given a free role though, Amorim won’t do that for some reason

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          1. mattyb09
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            He's all over the pitch right now

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          2. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Absolutely this

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        2. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Not the same prospect in a united shirt, plus he had a knack of scoring some of the luckiest goals last year - I remember as a bitter non-owner when everyone else had him

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          1. have you seen cyan
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Cunha on pens

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      15. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Cunha is looking up for it!

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Plenty of effort, but not much quality

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        2. Four Letter Wirtz
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Shame he never looks up when a teammate is in better position

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      16. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Feign another hamstring injury there Ramsdale, Eddie needs another word

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      17. Mother Farke
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Transferred in Jair Cunha by mistake. FFS!

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      18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Come on Cunha, grab a goal my son

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      19. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Dorgu is having a blinder

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      20. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Got FH to use, initial thoughts are something like this. Thoughts?
        Ramsdale
        Tark - Dalot - Dorgu - O’Reilly
        Palmer - Wirtz - Gordon - Cunha
        Haaland - Ekitike

        Pope, DCL, Cucu, Stach

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        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Haha love Dalot + Dorgu - I am stealing

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      21. RashFraud
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Dorgu is definitely the one to get for United. Playing OOP with the AFCON absences, may even get some defcons, decent fixtures, only 4.1 and can be benched if needed

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        1. mattyb09
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          5th yellow loading...

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          1. RashFraud
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Only 1 game to worry about if he behaves tonight

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          2. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Oh damn he's on 4 🙁

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        2. Bennerman
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          You are an eager newshound, do you have any other exclusives you can bring us after they have happened?

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      22. NZREDS
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Dorgu having a good game

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        1. Bennerman
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Bro, insight!

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          1. The Night Trunker.
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            You tell him sister

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      23. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        5'6 Martinez winning headers against 6'6 Woltemade

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        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Aggression: Martinez 20 vs Woltemade 1

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      24. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        That's a great finish from Dorgu

        Likes coming off the right, with his left foot

        Apparently

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      25. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Dalot + Dorgu on FH19 vs Wolves - what could go wrong!

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        1. pundit of punts
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Everything

          Like a Arkodore goal

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          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            This is the way

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      26. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Set up perfectly for a 1-3 Newcastle win here.
        Get your pennies on.

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      27. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Liking my GW 19 team 😎

        Areola
        NOR - Van den Berg - Andersen
        Saka - Palmer - Foden - Cunha
        Haaland - Ekitike - Woltemade

        Dubravka - King - Gudmundsson - Reinildo

        0.2 m in the bank

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        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Powerhouse midfield - that's a nice team

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        2. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          palmer and woltemade will almost certainly be benched

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          1. pundit of punts
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            No chance

            Early sub maybe

            Teams need points

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        3. lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Score check - 100 from 5?

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        4. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          I dont. Weak defense when defenders are the best value in the game, just to fit in people like Saka who is worse than Rice at 3m more.

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        5. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Actually GW19 looks good for a lot of big scores, just need a few goals in the Arsenal vs Villa game and Cunha to do anything for a huge haul.

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          1. Bennerman
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            'Actually'? We're already onto it.

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      28. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Bruno G with 7 returns in a row until I got him

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        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Ah so it was you, I got rid this week.

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          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            Yes apologies,

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        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          But are you still OR, 3,500?

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          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 9 days ago

            That was last season but more like 350
            This season I’ve only just got inside top 1m, not had one thing go my way

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