Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says it will be “impossible” to replace Bruno Fernandes while the midfielder could be out for up to a month.
Fernandes left Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss Friday’s game against Newcastle. Sources suggest he could return for the Manchester derby against City on 17 January, meaning he would miss around five matches.
The absence is a big blow, especially as other key attackers, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Fernandes’ likely replacement, Kobbie Mainoo, is also injured.
Amorim praised Fernandes’ influence, saying he organizes the team on and off the ball, leads set-pieces, and understands every position on the field. Fernandes has a remarkable fitness record, having missed only a handful of games since joining United in January 2020.
Amorim urged the rest of the squad to step up in Fernandes’ absence.
