Bruno Fernandes is facing a spell out of action after picking up an injury in the defeat at Aston Villa.
Manchester United fans fully recognise the inconsistent and infuriating time the club have endured ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
One ray of hope has been the impact Bruno Fernandes has brought to the club since he signed from Sporting in 2020.
Yes, United have remained inconsistent – but one constant has been the ongoing availability of Bruno Fernandes, and the high standard he sets every time he steps on the pitch.
Fernandes has scored more than 100 goals for the club, and no player has created more goalscoring chances in the Premier League.
Now he is set to be sidelined after sustaining an injury in Manchester United’s 2-1 loss at Villa Park.
Manchester United’s record without Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has played 308 games for Manchester United since he joined the club, where he is currently in the top 60 appearance makers in the club’s history.
He has only missed 16 matches during his time at United, and the Red Devils have a very sketchy record without him.
United have won seven of these games, while losing six, and drawing three.
Manchester United’s record without Bruno Fernandes is not great…
What is your biggest fear about Bruno being out of action?
Even during a difficult time for the club, it is a poor record for United to win fewer than half the games played without Fernandes.
The Premier League record is even worse, with United winning only four of the nine league matches played.
A full breakdown of the games United have played without Bruno Fernandes is below, with Premier League games in bold…
- 2020: Man Utd 2-1 LASK (rested)
- 2021: Man Utd 1-0 Watford (rested)
- 2021: Wolves 1-2 Man Utd (rested)
- 2021: Man Utd 3-0 Brighton (rested)
- 2021: Man Utd 3-1 Burnley (suspended)
- 2021: Man Utd 1-1 Young Boys (rested)
- 2022: Man Utd 3-2 Tottenham (illness)
- 2022: Aston Villa 3-1 Man Utd (suspended)
- 2022: Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd (suspended)
- 2023: Man Utd 3-0 Charlton (rested)
- 2023: Sevilla 3-0 Man Utd (suspended)
- 2023: Man Utd 3-0 Palace (rested)
- 2024: Palace 4-0 Man Utd (injury)
- 2024: Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal (injury)
- 2024: Fenerbahce 1-1 Man Utd (suspended)
- 2024: Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle (suspended)
- 2025: Brentford 4-3 Man Utd (rested)
Notably, one of the more recent games Fernandes missed was the 2-0 home loss to Newcastle last season, the same opponents we face on Boxing Day.
Worryingly, United have not won a game without Bruno Fernandes since 2023, and in the Premier League, going back to 2022.
The leadership void must be filled
It is not just Fernandes’ midfield talent that must be replaced. His absence creates a leadership void.
Fernandes has captained United in every game this season, and Ruben Amorim must decide who should wear the armband for the upcoming fixture(s).
Who should be Manchester United captain while Bruno Fernandes is injured?
Who would be YOUR choice?
Newcastle will be tough opponents, and arrive at Old Trafford with midfield as one of their strengths. It will be up to Casemiro and probably Manuel Ugarte alongside him to step up.
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