Bruno Fernandes was forced off at half-time during Manchester United’s 2-1 loss away to Aston Villa after suffering a hamstring injury, and now Ruben Amorim has delivered an update
Bruno Fernandes is facing an injury lay-off after title-chasing Aston Villa made it 10 straight wins. Manchester United captain Fernandes went off at half-time which is a huge worry for Ruben Amorim as they suffered a rare defeat at Villa Park.
Incredibly, it was only Villa’s second win in 27 Premier League home games against United as Morgan Rogers’ spectacular double put Unai Emery’s men back to within three points of leaders Arsenal.
But it was a bad day for United with Amorim now concerned that Fernandes – who has missed just 17 games in five years since arriving in 2020 – will be out while he also expects Kobbie Mainoo to miss the Boxing Day fixture with Newcastle United.
United boss Amorim, who said Mainoo missed the Villa game after suffering a calf injury, added: “It’s a soft tissue, I think he’s going to lose some games, I don’t know for sure. Let’s see. I don’t know. I don’t what to talk about matters you can’t control.
“He is a guy who is always fit, so he might recover quite well. I think Kobbie Mainoo is out, Bruno is out. We will see. No excuses, we need to win the next game and we will try to win the next game.
READ MORE: Morgan Rogers downs toothless Man Utd as Aston Villa’s streak continues – 5 talking points
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The Red Devils, who are already without Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo because of AFCON, play Newcastle at home before hosting Wolves four days later. Their first game of 2026 is away to Leeds.
Amorim went on to address United’s wider injury problems, having called on two academy graduates for their debuts in the second half. “It is really strange,” the Red Devils boss explained.
Can Manchester United win without Bruno Fernandes? Have your say in the comments section.
“During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that. I think [Jack] Fletcher did his first game, so that is good news, [Shea] Lacey the same, so we will try to find solutions and go for the next game.
“I am a manager for six years and even Sporting [Lisbon] is all about the academy, so it’s about the history. Every manager wants to bring players through from the academy and not spend money because this gives value to the manager.
“I just want to win and want to be certain that the players that come in from the academy are not going to suffer too much. I’m just trying to help the club, it doesn’t matter if it’s from the academy or abroad.”
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