Manchester United’s injury list just got uglier — and this one is set to hurt badly.
Red Devils’ Bruno Fernandes is set to miss “a while” after pulling up with a soft-tissue injury during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat
to Aston Villa, leaving Ruben Amorim staring at yet another selection headache.
The United captain, who hadn’t missed a single Premier League start this season, finally ran out of steam at Villa Park.
Fernandes tried to soldier on after feeling his hamstring go just before half-time — as he often does — but didn’t reappear for the second half.
Amorim wasted little time ruling him out of Boxing Day’s clash with Newcastle, with the rest of the festive schedule now hanging in the balance.
“It’s a soft tissue. I think he’s going to lose some games,” Amorim said, in what might be the understatement of United’s season. “He’s usually always fit, but I don’t know.”
That uncertainty sums up United right now.
As if losing their captain wasn’t enough, Kobbie Mainoo was already sidelined with a calf issue, meaning Amorim could be without his midfield heartbeat and his engine room against Newcastle.
The irony? Mainoo dominated pre-match headlines after his half-brother wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” shirt earlier in the week — only for injury to do the silencing.
“I think Kobbie is out, Bruno is out,” Amorim admitted. “We will find solutions. No excuses.”
Solutions are running thin.
Casemiro returns from suspension, but United are still missing Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui due to AFCON duties, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain sidelined. Depth? Optional. Chaos? Guaranteed.
January signings? Amorim isn’t biting.
“We can’t panic and make mistakes,” he said. “The club comes first. If we have to suffer, we suffer.”
And suffer they might. With points desperately needed and leaders dropping like flies, United’s festive fixture list is shaping up to be less holiday cheer — and more survival mode.
(with agency inputs)
