Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has challenged his players to raise their performance levels in the absence of captain Bruno Fernandes, insisting the team must learn to cope without relying on one individual.
Fernandes is sidelined with a soft-tissue injury sustained in last Sunday’s 2–1 defeat at Aston Villa, depriving United of their most influential midfielder. The Portugal international has started every Premier League match this season and remains the division’s most creative player, having created 51 chances.
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United will also be without Kobbie Mainoo for Friday’s home clash against Newcastle, further compounding Amorim’s selection concerns.
“It is impossible to replace Bruno, and I said that this morning to the team,” Amorim told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday. “But if there is a positive, it is that more players need to step up and understand we cannot rely on one player for everything.
“Sometimes we depend on Bruno for organisation and creation. We have lost Bruno on set pieces, and Bryan [Mbeumo] and Amad [Diallo] on set pieces as well, so it is massive for the team. But it is also an opportunity for others to show the leadership we need.”
Asked what United would miss most without Fernandes, Amorim replied, “Everything.
“He understands every position on the pitch and pays attention to every detail. On set pieces or when there is a substitution, he is always the one telling the others where they should be. But this is a very good opportunity for players like Licha [Lisandro Martinez], Luke Shaw and others.
“We need more leaders in the group because this can happen to Bruno. It is not usual, but it can happen, so this is a big opportunity for the other guys.”
Amorim also hinted at tactical adjustments and opportunities for younger players, praising Jack Fletcher’s cameo against Aston Villa. “We may need to try different ways of playing. Jack did a very good job when he came on, and this is the moment to give space to him and others. We will find solutions to play,” he said.
Man United are currently seventh in the Premier League, three points adrift of the Champions League places. After facing Newcastle, they are scheduled to play Wolves, Leeds, Burnley and Brighton before tougher back-to-back fixtures against title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal.
