Manchester United have been dealt a major blow, as Bruno Fernandes could be out for at least a month due to a hamstring injury suffered against Aston Villa.
Bruno Fernandes Suffers Hamstring Injury
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United have been dealt a major blow, with Bruno Fernandes potentially set to miss upwards of a month of action due to a ‘soft tissue’ hamstring injury.
The Red Devils’ captain was forced off at the break during his side’s 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday evening, with Amorim providing the latest on his compatriot after the full-time whistle.
He told Sky Sports: “I think it’s soft tissue, so it’s going to take a while. We’ll see.”
“It’s soft tissue it’s going to take a while”
Ruben Amorim gives an update on Bruno Fernandes after he went off injured vs Aston Villa 🤕 pic.twitter.com/zZrQXESrI0
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2025
He later added: “I think he is going to lose some games, but I don’t know for sure. I don’t want to talk about the matter, it is a guy who is always fit and he has shown he can always recover.”
Reports have since suggested that Fernandes could be sidelined for at least a month.
It comes as a major blow for United, with the 31-year-old starring as their standout player as of late. Across his last five league matches, he has registered three goals and three assists.
In total, he has five goals and seven assists in 17 Premier League appearances this term.
Should he miss the next month, he could miss up to six games. This includes their FA Cup clash against Brighton, as well as Manchester City’s visit in the Premier League in January.
Dalot, who took the armband from Fernandes at half-time, said: “It’s massive [Fernandes’ injury]. We don’t know how bad it is but for him to come off, we know how tough he is.”
Kobbie Mainoo, who would likely start in place of the absent Fernandes, missed the Villa game due to a calf issue. He is reportedly unlikely to return in time for Newcastle’s visit on Friday.
The injury comes at a particularly troubling time for Amorim, with pressure mounting on the United boss after leading the club to just two wins in their last eight Premier League games.
He is now among the favourites in the Premier League sack race odds market.
Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner has been touted as a potential replacement should the Portuguese depart, with the Austrian topping the next Manchester United manager odds market.
Manchester United Absentee List Grows
Fernandes’ and Mainoo’s injuries add to United’s already lengthy absentee list.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are unavailable due to their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are injured.
De Ligt is suffering with a lower back injury, and Maguire is out with a thigh issue.
It is expected that United turn to their academy amid the absences within their squad, with Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey both making their first-team debuts at Villa Park on Sunday.
Academy stars such as Tyler Fredricson and Bendito Mantato are also knocking on the door for first-team minutes. The pair were named on the bench for the trip to the West Midlands.
In more positive news, Casemiro is eligible to return to United’s squad for Newcastle’s visit on Friday. He missed the Villa clash through suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Amorim is expected to provide updates on Fernandes, Mainoo and more in his pre-match press conference later this week.
