Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has teased that Bruno Fernandes could be fit to face Manchester City next month, insisting he does not want to suggest the Portuguese is playing a mental game early on in the lead-up to the derby. Neither Fernandes nor Koby Mainu will be fit to face Newcastle on Boxing Day. However, Amorim suggested that Mainu is likely to recover faster than the captain.
The Portuguese captain was injured early in United’s defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend. Despite struggling, they managed to finish the first half and retire at the interval as two goals from Morgan Rogers ensured victory for the hosts. Mainu suffered a setback in training for the Villa game but is making progress towards fitness. “No, not this game (Newcastle). They are recovering. I don’t think it will take long. I think Coby will be back sooner instead of Bruno,” Amorim admitted.
United face Manchester City in the derby on January 17th, but it is unclear whether the captain will be available for that game. When asked about when Fernandes will be back, Amorim said: “I don’t want to say. Of course I have ideas, but we’ll see.”
Since joining United from Sporting in January 2020, Fernandes has almost always been in the starting XI. The 31-year-old has only missed nine of United’s 221 league games during that time and had played the full 90 minutes in most games this season before picking up the injury at Villa Park.
Amorim has already managed without Brian Mbeumo, Nosair Mazraoui and Amad, with the trio appearing in the African Cup of Nations. Losing Fernandes is another big setback and the manager will have to devise a strategy to compensate for the absence of a player who has scored five goals and provided seven assists this season.
The Red Devils face Newcastle on Boxing Day, before facing Wolves at Old Trafford four days later. There will be two additional league games (trips to Leeds and Burnley) ahead of the Manchester derby on January 17th, while Brighton will visit in the FA Cup on January 11th.
At least United will have Casemiro available for the Boxing Day clash. The Brazilian missed the match against Villa due to suspension, but it was only a one-match ban due to accumulated yellow cards.
Manuel Ugarte may retain his place after an unusual start at Villa Park. Lisandro Martinez presents another option for the substitute centre-half in midfield, while young midfielder Jack Fletcher will be keen for an extra appearance in the engine room following his Premier League debut at the weekend.
“We have other players and maybe we need to look at a different way of playing,” Amorim said. “I think Jack Fletcher has done a very good job. That’s why when you have chances like this you have to give players like Jack and other players space.”
Referring to the fact that Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt missed Sunday’s game due to injury, he continued: “We are still working with them. They will not be available for this game, but let’s look at the next game.”
