Manchester United have received a significant boost with the news that captain Bruno Fernandes is pushing for a return to action as soon as next week.
Elland Road Draw Provides Mixed Feelings
The update follows a hard-fought 1-1 draw with arch-rivals Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday. Matheus Cunha emerged as the hero for Ruben Amorim's side, cancelling out Brendan Aaronson's opener just 88 seconds later with a cool finish from a Joshua Zirkzee through ball.
The result leaves United in fifth place in the Premier League table, two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. While failing to secure all three points, a major positive was avoiding any fresh injury concerns during a physically demanding Yorkshire derby.
Key Players Nearing First-Team Comebacks
Manager Ruben Amorim provided a promising update on his squad's fitness after the Leeds clash. Bruno Fernandes, who has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury sustained against Aston Villa, is now in contention to feature against Burnley. Amorim suggested the Portuguese maestro could at least be named among the substitutes for the trip to Turf Moor on January 7th.
He is not the only one nearing a return. Mason Mount, substituted at half-time on Boxing Day against Newcastle United, is also in line to get some minutes against Burnley after missing the last two fixtures.
There is also hope for young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has been sidelined for four games with a calf issue. While no specific date has been set, he is working towards a return and the Burnley match is a potential target.
Longer-Term Absences and AFCON Duty
The news is less clear for defensive duo Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. Maguire has been absent for almost two months with a thigh injury, while de Ligt has missed six weeks with a back problem. No concrete return dates have been set for either centre-back.
Furthermore, United are without three players due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Amad (Ivory Coast), Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) are all competing in the tournament's knockout stages. The earliest they could return is for the Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday, January 25th, depending on how far their nations progress.
With the race for Champions League qualification heating up, the timely return of key figures like Fernandes and Mount could provide a crucial lift for Amorim's squad as they enter a pivotal period of the season.
