Manchester United's preparations for their season-defining clash against arch-rivals Liverpool have been thrown into chaos with the news that captain Bruno Fernandes is a major injury doubt.
The Portuguese maestro, often the creative heartbeat of the team, was a glaring absentee from first-team training on Saturday, casting a huge shadow over his availability for Sunday's high-stakes Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.
Manager Erik ten Hag now faces his toughest selection dilemma yet. Fernandes, who has been a near-ever-present figure, is reportedly struggling with a knock sustained during the midweek dramatic 4-3 collapse against Chelsea.
What Does This Mean for United's Setup?
Losing their skipper and top scorer for a fixture of this magnitude would be a catastrophic blow for the Red Devils. Fernandes's relentless energy, chance creation, and leadership are considered irreplaceable components of Ten Hag's system.
His potential absence forces a drastic tactical rethink. Scott McTominay could be pushed further forward into an advanced role, or the manager may turn to the experience of Christian Eriksen to pull the strings in midfield against a formidable Liverpool side.
The timing could not be worse. United are desperate for a positive result to keep their faint hopes of European qualification alive and to derail Liverpool's own Premier League title charge.
A Glimmer of Hope?
There remains a slim chance the 29-year-old could still feature. He will likely undergo a late fitness test ahead of the match. However, his missed session suggests the medical team are fighting an uphill battle to get him ready in time.
All eyes will be on Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon to see if United's talisman can make a miraculous recovery or if Ten Hag's men will have to find a way to conquer their rivals without their most influential player.
