Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will be sidelined for around a month after suffering a leg muscle injury in the 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa.
The Portuguese midfielder is expected to return for the derby against Manchester City on January 17, meaning he will miss five matches.
“It’s impossible to replace Bruno,” Amorim said. “He organizes the team at every moment, especially during set pieces, and he is always the leader on the pitch.”
Fernandes’ absence comes at a difficult time, as Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Kobbie Mainoo — his most obvious replacement — is also unavailable due to injury.
Amorim has called on other players to step up, mentioning Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw as senior alternatives, while Diogo Dalot wore the captain’s armband against Aston Villa. Academy players Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey are expected to receive more minutes on the pitch, getting the chance to prove their worth.
The club faces major challenges, but Amorim remains optimistic: “I believe we can win every match. Even with many absences, I trust the team and my players.”
