Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a significant double injury blow, confirming that captain Bruno Fernandes and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will both miss the crucial Boxing Day Premier League fixture against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Amorim's Update on Key Duo
Speaking ahead of the festive fixture, the head coach ruled out any chance of the influential pair featuring. "No, not for this game [Newcastle], they are recovering," Amorim stated. While he refrained from giving exact return dates, he indicated a quicker comeback for the younger star, adding, "I don’t think it will take a lot of time, I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno."
The injuries occurred in quick succession. Mainoo suffered his setback during a training session on the eve of United's recent trip to Aston Villa. Fernandes, meanwhile, was forced off at half-time during that match at Villa Park after picking up a problem in the first half.
Fernandes Fitness a Major Concern
The absence of Bruno Fernandes represents a substantial challenge for Amorim's side. The 31-year-old Portuguese playmaker has been a near-ever-present force since his arrival from Sporting CP in January 2020, missing just nine of United's 221 league games in that period.
This season, he had been a fixture in the starting line-up until the Villa match, contributing five goals and seven assists. His creativity and leadership will be sorely missed, especially with a packed festive schedule and the Manchester derby against City looming on January 17.
When pressed for a specific timeline on his skipper's return, perhaps with that Etihad clash in mind, Amorim remained cautious. "I don’t want to say. I have an idea, of course, but let’s see," he replied.
Squad Depth Tested During Festive Period
The loss of Fernandes and Mainoo compounds existing selection headaches for the United boss. The club is already without winger Bryan Mbeumo and full-back Noussair Mazraoui, who are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Attacker Amad is also at the tournament.
This leaves Amorim with a depleted squad as he navigates a busy run of games:
- December 26: Home vs Newcastle United (Premier League)
- December 30: Home vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- January 11: Home vs Brighton & Hove Albion (FA Cup Third Round)
- January 17: Away vs Manchester City (Premier League)
United also have Premier League trips to Leeds United and Burnley scheduled before the derby. Finding solutions to cope without his chief creator will be Amorim's immediate priority as he looks to steer United through a challenging period.
