How Manchester United Might Address Fernandes’ Injury

Overview

Manchester United is currently assessing the severity of the injury sustained by captain Bruno Fernandes during their recent 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. Manager Ruben Amorim is concerned that the midfielder may be sidelined for a while, hoping the injury isn’t as severe as initially feared. Fernandes felt discomfort in his hamstring during the first half but continued playing until halftime.

Fernandes’ Availability Record

Bruno Fernandes has been a crucial asset to Manchester United since his transfer from Sporting in January 2020. He has participated in 212 of 221 Premier League matches for the club, with 208 of those as a starter. His exceptional availability highlights how significant any absence would be for the team.

Impact of Missing Fernandes

In the nine matches Fernandes has missed in his tenure, only two were due to rest in preparation for important European fixtures. The remaining absences were a combination of suspensions or injuries, with his longest absence accounting for just two consecutive games. Notably, United’s record without Fernandes is concerning; they have lost four of the last five league matches he has been absent for.

Upcoming Matches

Although the extent of Fernandes’ injury remains unclear, here are the upcoming fixtures for United:

• 26 December (20:00 GMT) vs. Newcastle (Home)
• 30 December (20:15 GMT) vs. Wolves (Home)
• 4 January (12:30 GMT) vs. Leeds (Away)
• 7 January (20:15 GMT) vs. Burnley (Away)
• 11 January (16:30 GMT) vs. Brighton (Home, FA Cup 3rd Round)
• 17 January (12:30 GMT) vs. Manchester City (Home)
• 25 January (16:30 GMT) vs. Arsenal (Away)

Potential Replacements for Fernandes

Kobbie Mainoo

Ruben Amorim has long viewed Kobbie Mainoo as a direct counterpart to Fernandes due to their similar playing styles. This injury presents a prime opportunity for Mainoo to prove his worth. However, he was unable to participate in the Villa match due to a calf issue and may not be fit for the upcoming game against Newcastle.

Manuel Ugarte or Lisandro Martinez

If veteran midfielder Casemiro, who is currently serving a suspension, returns for the Newcastle match, he could be paired with Manuel Ugarte. However, Ugarte generally competes for similar positions with Casemiro. Strikingly, United has an unfortunate record of not winning any of the last nine league matches when Ugarte has started.

Lisandro Martinez, primarily a defender, stepped in for Fernandes during halftime at Villa Park and performed well. This situation may force Amorim to consider him for a midfield role, although it’s a departure from his usual tactic.

Mason Mount

Upon signing Mason Mount from Chelsea, the plan was for him to fulfill a number eight role, providing creative support in midfield. Mount has performed well lately, demonstrating his capability to thrive in a creative position, especially alongside Casemiro.

Jack Fletcher

Jack Fletcher, an 18-year-old talent who debuted against Villa, possesses qualities Amorim values, including energy and passing ability. However, expecting him to start in a high-stakes Premier League match might be a significant challenge for the young player.

Analyzing the Situation

The injury to Fernandes presents a dilemma for Amorim, who has tailored his coaching style to the team’s specific needs, prioritizing a particular tactical system. Traditionally, he has not varied his formation to cater to individual player strengths, but this situation may force him to adapt.

Amorim’s Tactics

• Employing a 3-2-4-1 formation that does not require dominating possession.
• Favoring a long ball strategy while ensuring midfielders can execute through-balls to forwards.
• Often featuring Casemiro and Fernandes due to their effective synergistic play styles.

In light of the players available, Ugarte is likely to step into Casemiro’s role, while others like Mount, Martinez, and Mainoo may tackle the attacking responsibilities usually held by Fernandes. A possible shift in formation could make room for Mainoo if Amorim opts to deploy a midfield trio, which he hinted could better suit the young midfielder’s skill set.

Overall, how Manchester United navigates the upcoming games in Fernandes’ absence is crucial to their performance and results in the Premier League.