Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has issued a stark warning against panic buying in the January transfer window, despite losing captain Bruno Fernandes to a significant injury.
Injury Blow and Immediate Squad Crisis
The pivotal moment came during United's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday 21 December 2025. Fernandes, a player who has missed just two games through injury in his entire United career, was substituted at half-time following a challenge from Villa's Amadou Onana.
Amorim confirmed the 31-year-old Portuguese international has sustained a soft tissue injury and will be sidelined for a considerable period. "It is really strange. I think he's going to lose some games... I think it's going to be a while," the manager admitted, while noting Fernandes' typically robust fitness might aid his recovery.
The situation is compounded by the likely absence of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo for the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle United, leaving Amorim desperately short of options. The defeat to Villa concluded with youngster Jack Fletcher and defender Lisandro Martinez deployed in midfield, highlighting the depth issue.
Amorim's Firm Stance on Transfer Strategy
Despite the acute shortage, Amorim is adamant that the club must stick to a long-term plan and avoid costly, reactive signings. He emphasised that Fernandes' absence cannot become an excuse for poor market decisions.
"What we cannot do is to reach January and try to do everything in urgency and make mistakes and then [it's] 'here we go again' with a lot of mistakes," Amorim stated. He clarified that he would not be pressuring football director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada for a raft of new players.
"Because we have a plan. If we have to suffer, the club comes first," he asserted, acknowledging the immediate need for points but prioritising sustainable squad building. The club's summer interest in Brighton's Carlos Baleba and long-term admiration for players like Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson suggest a measured approach.
Finding Internal Solutions
Amorim's immediate focus is on solving the crisis from within the existing squad. He has ruled out using the injury situation as a justification for potential failure.
"We need to deal with that... we need to find solutions and we are going to continue with our plan," he said. Looking ahead to the Newcastle match, he added, "I think Kobbie might be out, Bruno is out, so we will see, we are going to find solutions, no excuses, we need to win the next game."
This firm stance sets a clear directive for Manchester United's January transfer window activity: targeted, strategic moves over desperate, expensive gambles, even as the team navigates a challenging period without its influential captain and key midfielders.
