Manchester United's mounting injury concerns have taken a significant turn for the worse after captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off at half-time during the Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
Fernandes Hobbles Off at Villa Park
The Portuguese midfielder, widely regarded as United's most influential player, appeared to sustain the problem just before the interval on Sunday 21 December 2025. He was seen stretching his right leg and moving with a pronounced limp in the closing stages of the first half at Villa Park.
Fernandes looked visibly in pain as he headed down the tunnel for the break and did not re-emerge for the second half. He was replaced by defender Lisandro Martinez, who himself has only recently returned from a long-term absence.
Growing Midfield Crisis for Ruben Amorim
The initial assessment points towards a suspected hamstring issue for the 31-year-old skipper, though the full extent will only be known after a medical examination. Fernandes was later observed walking to the dugout after the restart, but he was moving gingerly and with a limp before taking a seat in the stands.
His potential absence compounds a serious midfield shortage for manager Ruben Amorim. The situation was already precarious as young star Kobbie Mainoo was ruled out of the matchday squad entirely after picking up a calf injury in training on Saturday.
Martinez's introduction meant he partnered Manuel Ugarte in the centre of the park, a makeshift solution for a department suddenly bereft of options.
Expanding Treatment Room at Old Trafford
Fernandes is the latest name added to an alarmingly long injury list at Carrington. The defensive unit is also severely impacted, with both Harry Maguire (thigh) and Matthijs de Ligt (back) missing the trip to Birmingham.
Furthermore, the club is currently without several players due to international commitments. Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo, and Amad Diallo are all away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro served a suspension for the Villa match but is expected to be available for the Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United.
The coming schedule presents a major challenge, with United facing four matches in just 13 days. Losing their captain and creative linchpin for this congested period could severely damage their ambitions of securing a top-six finish in the Premier League.
