Boxing Day briefing: Ruben Amorim backs Kobbie Mainoo for big future

Ruben Amorim and Eddie Howe have each been discussing the future ahead of their Boxing Day showdown at Old Trafford.

Amorim’s Manchester United host Howe’s Newcastle in the only Boxing Day fixture in the Premier League this season.

Amorim expects big things from Mainoo

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insisted Kobbie Mainoo represents the future of the club but may have to wait for his chance to prove it.

The 20-year-old has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, having made just one Carabao Cup start in a total of 12 appearances this season.

Last week Amorim said the midfielder needed to “fight for his job” but a calf injury in training before Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa has denied him a chance to do that at a time when the squad is missing a further seven players due to injury and Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Amorim said: “He’s going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling.

“He just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days.”

Newcastle in stadium limbo

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted the club is in limbo as long as its stadium and training ground plans remain unresolved.

The Magpies’ Saudi-backed owners are currently assessing their options over whether to redevelop St James’ Park or move to a new site as they attempt to boost commercial revenue.

Behind the scenes, a training base which has been vastly improved remains inferior to those of many of their competitors.

Asked to identify how Newcastle could move forward in the years ahead, Howe said: “Fundamentally looking at the club with a broader view, you look at the training ground, stadium – that part of the club is in limbo at the moment.

“In terms of which direction the club is going to take, that would be a big step forward, to get clarity on that and to take everything into the future in a really positive way. It would have a game-changing effect on everything.”

Forest great Robertson dies

A statement from John Robertson’s family.

It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful husband, dad and grandad. 

John passed away peacefully on Christmas morning with his wife and family by his side,  after a long illness.  Our only comfort… pic.twitter.com/Y7617nCZLR

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 25, 2025

Former Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger John Robertson died on Christmas Day following a long illness at the age of 72, his family announced.

Robertson, who started and ended his playing career at the City Ground either side of a spell at local rivals Derby, played an integral part in Forest’s European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.

Robertson provided the cross for Trevor Francis to head home the only goal against Swedish outfit Malmo in Munich as Brian Clough’s side lifted the European Cup for the first time.

And 12 months later, Robertson scored in another 1-0 victory as Forest successfully defended their European crown against Hamburg in Madrid.

After his playing career, he worked under former Forest team-mate Martin O’Neill at Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa.

What’s on today

The EFL schedule includes the usual packed Boxing Day fixture list, with all 72 teams in action, but just one Premier League game is taking place.

Ruben Amorim’s absentee-hit Manchester United host Newcastle, who have won five of the last six meetings between the two teams.

The Africa Cup of Nations also resumes with four matches, including Mohamed Salah’s Egypt taking on South Africa and hosts Morocco meeting Mali.