Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that replacing captain Bruno Fernandes will be extremely difficult after the midfielder was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Fernandes was forced off during United’s 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday and will miss Friday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle at Old Trafford. According to BBC Sport, the Portugal international is expected to be sidelined for several matches, although Amorim said the injury is not a long-term one.
While no exact return date has been given, sources suggest Fernandes could be fit in time for the Manchester derby against City on January 17. If that timeline holds, the midfielder could miss up to five matches.
The setback comes at a challenging moment for United. The club are already without Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, who are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, while Kobbie Mainoo is also unavailable due to a calf injury.
Speaking ahead of the Newcastle game, Amorim stressed Fernandes’ importance to the team, not just for his creativity but for his leadership and tactical intelligence. He noted that the captain plays a vital role in organising the team during set-pieces, guiding teammates during substitutions, and maintaining structure on the pitch.
Fernandes’ absence is particularly significant given his remarkable durability. Since joining United from Sporting in January 2020, he has missed only three matches through injury or illness, making this his longest spell out of the side.
United now face a demanding run of fixtures, with Amorim hoping other players can step up until their captain returns.
