Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been ruled out of Portugal's Nations League clash against Norway, confirming the club's injury fears. The midfielder is notably absent from Portugal's official squad list, which both sides were obliged to submit to UEFA on the morning of the match.
Coach confirms fitness concern
The decision follows national team head coach Jorge Jesus's admission that the player had picked up an issue. Jesus said: "In the game against Wales, we went in with all the available players but Bruno Fernandes came off with a complicated problem. We'll see what happens until tomorrow. Experience tells me that on the third day not all players manage to recover but that's the same for Norway as for us."
"However, the player who comes in gives as many guarantees as the one who might come off, that's what I'll base my decision on. The other case [Fernandes] involves treatment and recovery time. He's coming off an injury at United, and he told me he's been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him."
Recovery priority for Denmark match
Jesus added: "It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales. I've already spoken to him and I prefer not to risk it in this game so he's fully fit for the Denmark match."
The 32-year-old has started and completed 90 minutes in every United fixture this season bar one. He was named among the substitutes for the Carabao Cup loss to Brighton but was introduced for the final 15 minutes with United trailing.
United's injury concerns mount
Jesus's revelation that Fernandes has been managing an issue for the past few weeks is especially worrying given his significance to United and their demanding fixture list following the international break. United would almost certainly prefer him to be recuperating at Carrington ahead of the Tottenham clash in just under a fortnight, but Jesus's remarks suggest he will feature for Portugal once more during this extended domestic break.
Michael Carrick could do without further injury concerns, particularly one affecting his talisman, especially as pressure mounts on his shoulders following just two wins in all competitions this season. Amad and Benjamin Sesko have had their campaigns significantly disrupted by injuries, while Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford pulled out of England duty.
Sesko had been seeing his playing time gradually increase until he was absent from the trip to Fulham last weekend with a recurring shin complaint. On his absence, Carrick said: "He just felt a little bit of pain after the game the other night [vs Brighton]. We're assessing that. Hopefully, it's not too bad, but we will have to see."
Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte remain long-term casualties at Old Trafford, with Ugarte facing the prospect of missing the majority of the campaign after sustaining a serious knee injury at the World Cup. De Ligt, meanwhile, has been sidelined since last November due to a back complaint, having undergone surgery during the summer transfer window.
