Manchester United: Who Ruben Amorim may flip to to exchange the injured Bruno Fernandes

For the primary time since he joined in 2020, Manchester United face the prospect of shedding the talismanic Bruno Fernandes via harm for a sustained time period.

Fernandes was changed at half-time through the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa after all of a sudden pulling up late within the first-half. United boss Ruben Amorim clarified after the sport that his captain had suffered tender tissue injury and that he would miss ‘some video games.’

It is a bitter blow for the Crimson Devils forward of a busy interval that might outline their season. Each statistic beneath the solar reveals simply how invaluable the 31-year-old is at Previous Trafford.

That issues little now, as Amorim and his teaching workers might want to do their greatest to fill Fernandes’ void in the midst of the park. A choice of Sky Sports activities’ digital journalists have had a have a look at what choices the United boss has.

Mainoo’s time to shine?

Most, if not all Manchester United followers might be pondering that that is the chance for Kobbie Mainoo to show his value to Ruben Amorim.

From scoring the successful objective within the 2024 FA Cup last and representing England at that yr’s European Championships, the midfielder finds himself with no Premier League begin this season.

It has led to hypothesis that he may depart the Theatre of Desires, on mortgage or completely, as frustration over recreation time grows.

Unexpectedly, the door has now opened. With Fernandes out, there isn’t a likelihood Amorim lets Mainoo go in January. And having insisted that the membership captain is who the academy graduate is competing with for a spot within the workforce, it appears solely logical that he’ll lastly be handed his alternative.

That will not be in opposition to Newcastle although, as Amorim confirmed he’ll doubtless miss out with a calf harm that additionally noticed him overlooked of the squad in opposition to Villa. He’ll be hoping one of many different various choices does not lay declare to the spot earlier than he even has an opportunity to.
Callum Bishop

Mount to drop deeper?

Mason Mount has began Manchester United’s final three Premier League video games. Into his third season as a United participant, that is solely the second time that he has been on such a run, beforehand beginning 4 in a row on the again finish of final season.

Bryan Mbeumo’s absence has opened up a slot for him tucked in off the fitting however Mount has had loads of Premier League minutes in a deeper function and will show an excellent foil alongside the far much less cellular Casemiro. He would seem an ready deputy for Fernandes.

In fact, shifting him from the ahead line, significantly with Mbeumo and Amad Diallo away, would solely current Amorim with one other problem and it might be that Mount’s urgent larger up the pitch is deemed a extra necessary asset to the United coach.
Adam Bate

Martinez a midfield choice

“In the first half they were by far the better team and surprisingly, I thought with Martinez in midfield in the second half, they were the equal of [Aston] Villa as a minimum.”

These have been Gary Neville’s phrases as Lisandro Martinez was introduced on on the break to exchange the injured Fernandes at Villa Park.

Martinez is primarily a centre-back, however has proven he can step into midfield when required. The Argentine will not be unfamiliar with that place. Throughout his time at Ajax, he was at instances utilised in the midst of the park.

In his 22 video games as a stereotypical quantity six, he averaged near 66 passes per 90 minutes with an accuracy above 86 per cent, ranked extremely for final-third passes amongst others in these video games, and nonetheless contributed defensively with stable numbers for tackles, interceptions and possessions received within the center third.

Martinez wouldn’t supply the identical creativity as Fernandes, however his means to recycle possession, learn the sport and keep construction may present a unique sort of stability in midfield. With fixtures coming thick and quick, his versatility offers Amorim one other inside choice to contemplate whereas United’s captain stays unavailable.
Sam Cohen

Ugarte’s likelihood at redemption

With Casemiro suspended in opposition to Aston Villa, it was left to Manuel Ugarte to attempt to slot in subsequent to Fernandes, although he did little to rubber stamp his credentials.

Ugarte as soon as once more did not impress. He was lacklustre with and with out the ball – he didn’t create any massive possibilities or handle a single shot heading in the right direction, while additionally shedding essentially the most aerial duels of any participant within the recreation.

Defeat on Sunday implies that the Uruguayan has misplaced all seven of his final seven begins. In addition, an eighth loss in 9 marks the longest run with no Premier League victory for a beginning Man Utd participant for over 20 years. Solely Kleberson, between January 2004 and Might 2005, managed an extended winless run in a pink shirt.

Ugarte’s hefty £50.7m price ticket has come into query continuously throughout his tenure in Manchester, particularly given the latest success of his predecessor, Scott McTominay. The Scotsman was allowed to go away United for £26m – solely half of the outlay for Ugarte.

Simply this weekend, McTominay received the Italian Supercoppa, his second piece of silverware since transferring to Italy, off the again of being named Serie A Participant of the 12 months final month.

He doubtless would’ve been a super answer. However the man who basically took his place within the squad has achieved little to silence the doubters.
Noah Langford

Change to a midfield three

There was one thing noticably completely different about the way in which United arrange in opposition to Aston Villa. Versus main with a urgent entrance three and double pivot behind, Amorim opted to defensively lead with a entrance two and a triangle three propping up behind, together with Fernandes, Mount and Ugarte.

Assuming Casemiro would return rather than the latter, this could possibly be one thing Amorim turns to extra typically. Mount or Mainoo may slot into the Fernandes function, with the opposite remaining additional up the pitch.

Ought to Bryan Mbeumo return from AFCON earlier than Fernandes is match to return, maybe he hyperlinks up with Matheus Cunha up high whereas Benjamin Sesko takes up an influence substitute function as he continues his adaptation to the Premier League.

This could nonetheless give Mount the possibility to take up an necessary place within the workforce given his rising affect on the facet of late.
Callum Bishop

In case you’re adequate, you are sufficiently old

We might be remissed to not contact upon the truth that there could possibly be a shock inclusion for certainly one of United’s kids to step into the workforce with Fernandes out.

Jack Fletcher, son of former Crimson Satan and present lead coach of the membership’s under-18s facet Darren, made his senior debut off the bench at Villa Park and has been touted as a possible star of the long run. His twin brother, Tyler, additionally performs as a midfielder and may even see an opportunity for himself.

Eighteen-year-old Jim Thwaites has additionally been incomes reward for his improvement, whereas Sekou Kone has had skilled coaching with the first-team earlier than. Though, latest health struggles could set again any hopes he has of a sniff.

Amorim has not lengthy spoken in regards to the entitlement of a few of his kids, however now he could need to depend on them greater than beforehand.
Callum Bishop