Manchester United’s midfield resources have been severely depleted following confirmation that captain Bruno Fernandes faces an extended period on the sidelines with a soft tissue injury. The Portuguese international, who had started every Premier League match this season, sustained the setback during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
Manager Ruben Amorim expressed significant concern about the timeline for Fernandes’ recovery, stating the influential playmaker will ‘lose some games’ amid the demanding festive fixture schedule. The 31-year-old attempted to continue playing after initially pulling up with what appeared to be a hamstring issue just before halftime but was ultimately unable to return for the second period.
The injury crisis deepens for United with emerging England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo also ruled out due to a calf problem. The 20-year-old had been the subject of unusual pre-match attention when his half-brother wore a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ T-shirt during Monday’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Amorim faces additional selection headaches with Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, while defensive stalwarts Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain unavailable through injury. Although Casemiro will return from suspension for the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle United, the manager acknowledges his squad’s severely compromised state.
Despite the mounting challenges, Amorim maintains a measured approach toward the January transfer window, emphasizing strategic planning over reactive signings. ‘We need to deal with that,’ he stated. ‘What we cannot do is reach January and try to do everything in urgency and make mistakes.’ The manager reiterated his commitment to the club’s long-term vision, even if it requires short-term suffering, emphasizing that ‘the club comes first.’