Manchester United fear Bruno Fernandes could miss the next six matches following the injury he sustained in Sunday’s defeat against Aston Villa.
The 31-year-old pulled up sharply towards the end of the opening period and although he gamely attempted to carry on he failed to re-emerge for the second half.
Ruben Amorim confirmed the club captain, who has started every game so far this season, suffered a ‘soft tissue’ injury and immediately ruled him out of his side’s next game against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Fernandes is set to undergo further tests but, according to The Sun, United chiefs are concerned he is facing a prolonged period on the sidelines.
The notoriously durable Portugal international could also miss the fixtures against Wolves, Leeds, Burnley, Brighton and Manchester City.
Were he to miss the derby, United would have even less of a chance of taking points of Arsenal’s main rivals for the Premier League title.
And the latest fitness update on Fernandes could spell even bigger trouble for the Gunners given the playmaker could make his return against Mikel Arteta’s team on January 25.
(Credits: Eamonn & James Clarke)
Diogo Dalot, meanwhile, called Fernandes’ injury a ‘massive’ blow as United wait to find out the severity of the skipper’s setback.
He told told Sky Sports. ‘We don’t know how bad it is but for him to come off (in) the game, we know how tough he is.’
Dalot, who took the captain’s armband from his compatriot, then told MUTV: ‘We obviously were sad that Bruno came off. I think we found a way to keep in the game and try to find ways of playing, creating chances.
‘I think we still created enough to score more goals and let’s hope that it’s not too bad and then we have Bruno for the next games.’
Natural replacement Kobbie Mainoo is also set to miss out with a calf issue sustained in training on Saturday, meaning United could be without seven first-team players in their next match.
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Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are at the Africa Cup of Nations while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire have missed recent games, which has seen Amorim turn to the academy.
Jack Fletcher, son of United favourite Darren, and Shea Lacey came on for their senior debuts at Villa Park and other academy talents are knocking on the door.
‘This is the moment,’ Dalot said. ‘I mean, we have so many players missing that this is the opportunity for those who didn’t have so many chances to step up now and show that they deserve more minutes.
‘I’m very happy that they could make their debuts and hopefully in the next games they are available and they can help us as well.’