Not just midfield, Bruno Fernandes injury has opened up another role Man Utd need to fill

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Manchester United are dealing with more than one dilemma in the build-up to the next game.

Bruno Fernandes faces a spell out of the Manchester United side with injury after picking up a problem against Aston Villa.

Fernandes was unable to play the second half of the 2-1 defeat at Villa Park, and his absence creates another headache for Ruben Amorim.

United are already without Kobbie Mainoo, who was injured in training in the build-up to the fixture.

With Casemiro suspended for the Villa game, United had to call on Lisandro Martinez as an emergency midfielder.

Ahead of the next game against Newcastle, Ruben Amorim must work out who will start as his midfield pairing.

But that’s not the only dilemma. Amorim must work out who will be the Manchester United captain in Fernandes’ absence.

Manchester United captaincy dilemma

Bruno Fernandes has been an ever-present this season, which means having to find a replacement is a pretty new problem for Ruben Amorim.

There are six standout contenders to take the captaincy – but there may only be four available to face Villa.

Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt: Maguire is the former Manchester United captain, while De Ligt has been captaining teams since he was a teenager. Both players are leaders and natural fits for the role – but each are carrying injuries and have been absent for the past few weeks.

Casemiro: The midfielder is the captain of the Brazil national team, and has more than a decade’s experience at the top level in European football.

Lisandro Martinez: A leader in every way on and off the pitch, Lisandro Martinez will be one of the players stepping up and setting an example, whether he has the armband or not.

Luke Shaw: Manchester United’s longest serving player, Luke Shaw has seen it all. Ruben Amorim trusts him so much that he has started every single game this season.

Diogo Dalot: If Ruben Amorim wants another Portuguese player to carry out his instructions, Diogo Dalot is the man. Dalot’s reliability is valued by the head coach, and he is a strong candidate.

Diogo Dalot took the armband vs Aston Villa

Diogo Dalot took up the role of captain in the second half in Manchester United’s game at Aston Villa.

Speaking to club media following the game, Dalot spoke of his pride, commenting: “It’s obviously a very proud moment.

“I look back to the first day that I arrived here and it was not even in my mind to one day wear the armband of this club.

“Obviously I wanted to build my career here and be a very important player for the team.

“I think me being able to go through every phase that a football player can be at a club makes it even more special.

“But at the same time, I know that we have very good players that can represent the standards of the club and I’m just happy to be one of them.”