Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has conceded that captain Bruno Fernandes could be facing a spell on the sidelines after being forced off during Sunday’s 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Fernandes has been a constant presence for United in the Premier League this season, starting every match up to now. That remarkable run, however, appears likely to come to an end after the Portuguese midfielder picked up what looked to be a hamstring injury shortly before half-time at Villa Park. Although he initially tried to continue, Fernandes was unable to return for the second half, immediately raising concerns about the severity of the problem.
Those fears were reinforced when Amorim confirmed that Fernandes will miss the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United and suggested that the influential playmaker may also be unavailable for much of the demanding festive schedule.
“It’s a soft-tissue injury, and I think he’s going to miss some games,” Amorim explained. “I can’t say exactly how long he’ll be out. These things are difficult to predict. Bruno is normally very robust and recovers well, but at this stage we just don’t know.”
Fernandes’ absence is the latest setback in what has become a worrying injury situation for United. Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was already ruled out of the trip to Villa due to a calf problem, adding further strain to Amorim’s options in midfield.
The 20-year-old had been at the centre of attention earlier in the week after his half-brother wore a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ T-shirt during Monday’s dramatic 4–4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Mainoo had been pushing for his first Premier League start of the season against Newcastle, but Amorim has now confirmed that he, too, is unlikely to be available.
“We’ll have to see what we do,” Amorim said. “At the moment, Kobbie is out and Bruno is out. We have to find solutions. There are no excuses. We need to win the next game, and we will do everything we can to make that happen.”
There is at least some positive news for United, with Casemiro returning from suspension, but the overall picture remains challenging. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are also sidelined, leaving the squad stretched thin.
Unsurprisingly, the growing list of absentees has sparked debate about potential January signings. However, Amorim has made it clear that the club will not abandon its long-term strategy in favour of short-term fixes.
“We have to manage this situation carefully,” he said. “What we can’t do is reach January in a panic and make rushed decisions that lead to mistakes. We have a plan, and we need to stick to it. The club always comes first, even if that means we have to suffer a bit in the short term.
“Yes, we need points right now, but we also need to find solutions within our structure. We’ll continue to follow our plan and work through this period together.”
With key players missing and a packed fixture list ahead, United face a stern test of their depth and resilience as the festive period approaches.
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