Bruno Fernandes sidelined with injury after Aston Villa defeat
Bruno Fernandes will be out for “a while” after picking up a soft tissue injury in Sunday’s defeat at Aston Villa, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has revealed, reports BritPanorama.
The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder has started every Premier League match this season, but the Red Devils star now faces a spell on the sidelines, having suffered the injury just prior to halftime during the 2-1 loss.
Fernandes initially attempted to continue playing but could not return for the second half. Amorim stated, “It’s a soft tissue so it’s going to be a while,” ruling the Portugal international out of the upcoming Boxing Day clash against Newcastle and perhaps beyond.
In the press conference, Amorim acknowledged the uncertainty regarding the injury’s severity, saying, “I don’t know. He’s a guy who is always fit so he can recover quite well, but I don’t know.” This setback compounds the absence of homegrown talent Kobbie Mainoo, who suffered a calf complaint in training ahead of the match.
Amorim expressed his determination to find solutions amid the mounting injuries, stating, “I think Kobbie Mainoo is out, Bruno is out, so we will see. No excuses. We need to win the next game.” While midfielder Casemiro is set to return from suspension, the squad is further weakened by the absence of several key players involved in the Africa Cup of Nations and those who have missed recent matches.
The manager added, “We need to deal with that. What we cannot do is reach January and try to do everything in urgency… with a lot of mistakes.” Teammate Diogo Dalot called Fernandes’ injury a “massive” blow, hinting at the challenge ahead for the team.
As United grapple with their injury woes, they face the pressing need to adapt and secure vital points, with young players like Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey now called into action following their recent debuts.
In the fickle world of football, moments like these remind us of the delicate balance between ambition and adversity, as the Red Devils navigate through this challenging stretch with resilience on the line.
