Newcastle United will be prohibited from letting player feature against Man United in latest blow

Manchester United’s next game is a Europa League clash with Ligue 1 side Lyon on Thursday night as they seek to keep alive their only hopes of qualifying for European football next season.

The Red Devils are one of five Premier League sides still in European competition as they balance the demands of the busy schedule. After their trip to Lyon, the Red Devils are on the road once again this weekend as they travel to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon in the 4.30pm kick off. United have yet to score a goal since their return to action after a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest and 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Magpies beat Leicester City 3-0 at the King Power Stadium on Monday night to move above Man City in the table to dent the Champions League hopes of Pep Guardiola’s side. The Magpies are one point above City and also have a game in hand due to their involvement in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley last month.

Newcastle player prohibited from playing Man United due to Premier League rules

Ruben Amorim has been forced to deal with numerous injury problems in recent months but his counterpart on Sunday will be in a similar situation. Eddie Howe won’t be able to call upon Sven Botman or Jamaal Lascelles because of knee injuries while Lewis Hall is out with a foot problem. Former Everton star Anthony Gordon remains a doubt because of a recent groin injury.

In a further blow, Joe Willock will not be allowed to play against the Red Devils because of a concussion. FA rules block any players from returning from concussions within the first 12 days of the incident or within seven if relevant criteria is met. Willock sustained the head injury during Newcastle’s clash with Brentford on April 2 and with their game against Amorim’s side being played on April 13, he will not have recovered for the permitted time.

Howe said: “Joe Willock's concussion, I don't think he'll make the weekend. We'll need to check on that later, just in terms of what his symptoms were.”

The Shields Gazette has reported that Newcastle have now ruled Willock out of the game because he has not met the relevant criteria to return to playing within seven days. He will be eligible again from Monday, if he passes the relevant return to play protocols.

Joe Willock record v Man United

Willock has come up against United nine times in his career, twice while playing for Arsenal and seven times since his move to Newcastle. He was a late substitute in the 2-0 win for the Magpies at Old Trafford at the end of December.

He scored against the Red Devils as Newcastle won 2-0 at St James’ Park during the 2022-23 season but missed both Premier League last term with an achilles injury. He did play against the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup last season, as Newcastle claimed a 3-0 win at Old Trafford with Willock scoring in that fixture.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is poised to be fit to play against Amorim’s side on Sunday despite being taken off midway through the first half against Leicester. The prolific striker has been struggling with a minor groin problem but Howe said: "I think he's 100% fit, I wouldn't have taken any risk with him tonight if he wasn't. I don't think we'll have to manage him."