🔗 Share this article

Manchester United are currently determining the severity of the knock sustained by captain Bruno Fernandes during the 2-1 defeat at Villa Park.

Manager the Portuguese boss believes the midfielder is facing a spell on the treatment table but will be praying the issue is minor. Fernandes felt a twinge at the end of the first half, feeling his hamstring, before continuing and then being substituted at the interval.

Any layoff would be particularly notable given the Portuguese midfielder's extraordinary availability record since joining Sporting in January 2020.

From his debut in a goalless draw against Wolves to the Villa loss, United have played 221 Premier League games – Fernandes has featured in 212 of them, starting 208 times.

Of the nine matches he has missed, two were for rotation ahead of key European fixtures, four were due to suspension, and just three were a result of injury or illness.

His most extended period out was two back-to-back games at the end of the 2023-24 season, but he still returned in time for the FA Cup final.

The worrying fact for Amorim is that United have been defeated in the last four league games Fernandes has missed and five of the last six.

While the duration of his absence remains unknown, here are United's next seven matches:

• 26 December v Newcastle (Home)
• 30 December v Wolves (Home)
• 4 January v Leeds (Away)
• 7 January v Burnley (Away)
• 11 January v Brighton (Home) – FA Cup third round
• 17 January v Manchester City (Home)
• 25 January v Arsenal (Away)

So, what are Amorim's alternatives if his talisman is unavailable?

The Youngster Mainoo

Amorim has said all season that Mainoo is in direct competition with Fernandes due to their similar playing styles. In theory, this is the youngster's opportunity to prove his manager he merits more minutes.

However, Amorim revealed Mainoo missed the Villa defeat with a calf problem and is unlikely to be fit to face Newcastle. He did not specify how long the midfielder will be out.

Manuel Ugarte or Lisandro Martinez

Assuming veteran midfielder Casemiro returns from suspension against Newcastle, Manuel Ugarte could line up alongside him. However, the pair have tended to compete for the same position.

A worrying statistic is that United have not won any of the last nine league games Ugarte has started.

Lisandro Martinez, mainly a defender, came on for Fernandes at half-time at Villa Park. Amorim has previously said he would only consider Martinez in midfield "in an emergency," a category this situation may fall into.

Neither Ugarte nor Martinez, however, possess the playmaking attributes that Fernandes provides.

Mason Mount

When Mount arrived, it was felt he could play as a number eight. He can provide creativity, and playing him alongside Casemiro could allow Joshua Zirkzee to feature as a number 10.

Amorim sees Mount as better in the number 10 role but, as with Martinez, circumstances may force his hand. The England man is also flexible, having played at wing-back, and is in good form, having found the net recently.

Jack Fletcher

Fletcher made his debut at Villa Park and has the attributes – energy and a good passing range – that Amorim requires.

However, it would be a big ask to throw the 18-year-old into a Premier League starting lineup from the beginning.

Tactical Look: Fernandes Injury May Force Amorim to Tweak System

Since his arrival, Amorim has adhered to a specific 3-2-4-1 formation, rarely straying away from his philosophy.

He opts for a formation that does not rely on possession. His midfield duo, typically Casemiro and Fernandes, have specific roles: Casemiro protects the defence, while Fernandes is given freedom to contribute in attack while also covering ground defensively.

The other midfield candidates must slot into these profiles. Ugarte is the likely back-up for Casemiro, while Mount, Martinez, and Mainoo have some of the qualities to do Fernandes' job.

The constraints of injuries could lead Amorim to tweak his system, potentially moving to a back four with three in midfield – a formation that might suit a player like Mainoo more.

"Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two," Amorim has said. "But with three, Kobbie will have more minutes."