Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed a significant injury setback for captain Bruno Fernandes, warning the club not to make costly "mistakes" in a rushed January search for a replacement.
Fernandes Forced Off in Villa Defeat
The Portuguese playmaker appeared to pull up with a problem towards the end of the first half during Sunday's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa. He did not return for the second half, with the score level at 1-1 at the interval.
Villa's Morgan Rogers scored the decisive goal after the break, a result that keeps Unai Emery's side within three points of league leaders Arsenal.
Amorim's Diagnosis and Transfer Warning
Addressing the media, Amorim revealed the nature of the issue. "It was a soft tissue injury so he will miss some games for sure," said the United boss. "You can never control these things. He is a guy who is always fit so he can recover quite well."
The injury will inevitably increase pressure on the club's hierarchy to invest when the January transfer window opens. However, Amorim issued a stark warning against impulsive action.
"We need to deal with that," he stated. "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."
He emphasised a need for a measured, long-term strategy, saying he would not immediately demand multiple signings from football director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. "We have a plan," Amorim insisted. "If we have to suffer, the club comes first. Of course, we are in a moment where we need points but we need to find solutions and we are going to continue with our plan."
Dalot and Mainoo Also Sidelined
United defender Diogo Dalot acknowledged the scale of the loss. "It's massive," Dalot said. "We don't know how bad it is but for him to come off, we know how tough he is. Hopefully it's not too bad and we keep with him for the next games."
Dalot suggested other players must now seize their opportunity. "This is the time that opportunities come for other players and the time you step up and show you deserve to be in the team," he added.
In a further blow, Amorim also confirmed that young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is expected to miss the upcoming fixture against Newcastle United after being ruled out with an injury.
Amorim admitted the coming period would be challenging, concluding: "You can feel in this moment that we are going to struggle, but we will see."
