Man Utd Captain Bruno Fernandes Eyes Comeback: Latest Recovery Updates and Return Timeline
Following the disappointment of falling victim to Morgan Rogers' brilliance in their loss to Aston Villa, Manchester United received another setback in the Midlands when captain Bruno Fernandes was withdrawn due to injury.
Matheus Cunha had momentarily leveled the score for the Red Devils between Rogers' spectacular goals, but the 2-1 loss at Villa Park was made worse by a worrying injury concern for Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder, who has been crucial to United's campaign once more this season, managed only until halftime against Villa, unable to emerge for the second half as Lisandro Martínez took his place.
Here's the current update on Fernandes's injury situation.
What Injury Does Fernandes Have?
Regrettably for Fernandes, he faces a period away from action after sustaining a "soft tissue" problem, as confirmed by manager Ruben Amorim. The United coach acknowledged the injury following the final whistle at Villa Park, though he declined to speculate on how long the absence might last.
"Regarding Bruno, we'll have to wait and see. I'm uncertain. I believe it's a soft tissue problem; he'll miss several matches. I can't say for certain, so we'll monitor the situation," Amorim explained.
"I'm unsure [whether Fernandes will be out for weeks]. I prefer not to discuss it. These situations are unpredictable. He's typically very durable, so his recovery could be swift, but I cannot be sure."
Fernandes, whose Old Trafford future has been questioned following a recent unexpected interview, will be a significant loss in midfield, particularly given he adds to an extensive injury list at the club.
Kobbie Mainoo, likely the most suitable replacement for Fernandes, was unavailable for the Villa match due to injury and will also miss the Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United, though Casemiro will return from his single-game ban for that encounter.
Additionally, Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are significant defensive casualties.
When Will Fernandes Return From Injury?
Though Amorim remained cautious about Fernandes's comeback timeline, he did acknowledge that his fellow Portuguese would be sidelined for "some time." It seems certain the 31-year-old will be unavailable for upcoming fixtures, though the exact number of games he'll miss is unclear.
United have important matches ahead over the next month, beginning with Newcastle's visit. A sequence of manageable fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Leeds United (A), Burnley (A) and Brighton & Hove Albion (H)—the last being an FA Cup third round tie—precede crucial clashes with Manchester City (H) and Arsenal (A).
United will be eager to have Fernandes available for the Manchester derby, or ideally sooner, and will be hoping fervently for a quick recovery. They will face serious difficulties without their key player.