Manchester United have three midfield dilemmas ahead of Newcastle match

Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Wolves in the Premier League on Boxing Day as goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan piled more misery on Ruben Amorim.

United have now lost three successive matches in all competitions and will have to face Newcastle on Monday night without the service of suspended midfield duo Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

Marcus Rashford also looks likely to miss the upcoming Old Trafford clash, after he was omitted from the United squad for the fourth match in succession. Here are five of the main talking points as United lost again against Wolves:

Mainoo struggles

On their previous trip to Molineux, Kobbie Mainoo was United’s hero with his dramatic winning goal. This time he risked being labelled a villain in a poor performance in which he lost possession far too easily, far too often.

It is a compliment to the 19-year-old that at such a young age we already expect so much more from him, though this was perhaps another timely reminder of the work he still has to do if he is to become a regular in Ruben Amorim’s strongest midfield partnership. With teammate Manuel Ugarte going from strength to strength under the new head coach, there is still plenty of debate as to who should play alongside him in the heart of the team. Even without Fernandes and Ugarte, he might not start.

Amorim bemoans another freak goal

United conceded directly from a corner kick for the second away match in succession and once again, Amorim was frustrated by the officiating for not penalising a possible foul on the goalkeeper. "Last week, I saw the same goal against Tottenham. I think Onana cannot go to the ball because he has one man in front, one in the back and in the last moment, is jumping. Just a touch in his back can change the way you see the ball. I saw it last week."

The head coach certainly has a point about the controversial nature of the goals, though more alarming is that opponents are so aware of their vulnerability from set-pieces. The bigger issue is with his team.

Rashford not the only player to miss out

The absence of Marcus Rashford dominated the early team news ahead of kick-off but there was another interesting absentee from the matchday squad.

United have managed Tyrell Malacia carefully following his return from a serious injury setback, though club sources insisted his Molineux absence was not down to injury at all. At a time when United are looking at left-wing-back options ahead of the January transfer window, this was another reminder of the huge issues they have in the position.

United handed double blow for Newcastle fixture

If there was a festive fixture you might have backed United in, it would have Wolves away. Next up is Newcastle at home, before a daunting trip to Anfield for what already feels like another chastening afternoon.

United are in desperate need of a lift but will now have to go in search of one against Newcastle without both Fernandes and Ugarte in their side. The loss of their influential club captain is certain to be costly, but so too is the absence of Ugarte, arguably their best player at Molineux on Boxing Day. Things could get even worse yet.

The table doesn’t lie

The longer United’s poor run continues the less time there will be to salvage a season which is getting worse by the week. After they have played Newcastle on Monday, they will officially be at the halfway stage of the Premier League season and could well be 14th with a minus-goal difference. Even with a managerial change, there is simply no excuse for that and what is so concerning is that Amorim’s managerial bounce has fallen flat on the ground.