Bruno Fernandes has missed Manchester United’s last three matches due to injury and Ruben Amorim gave the latest on his potential return after the 1-1 draw at Elland Road
Ruben Amorim has given hope over Bruno Fernandes’ return(Image: TNT Sports)
Ruben Amorim has hinted that Bruno Fernandes could return for Manchester United before the end of January. United have been without their captain for the past three games due to injury, but he could return to the side in the coming weeks.
Fernandes was substituted at half-time in United’s 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa on December 21. The Portuguese playmaker has been a huge miss for Amorim, whose side have beaten Newcastle 1-0 and drawn 1-1 with Wolves and Leeds in his absence.
The injury has also coincided with other absences. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are all available due to injuries.
United had a thread-bare substitutes’ bench at Elland Road on Sunday, with Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir and Tyrell Malacia the only three senior players amongst a group of academy players. Matheus Cunha earned United a point with a finish from Zirkzee’s through ball after Brenden Aaronson put Leeds ahead.
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But there was a glint of hope after the match. Asked about January transfers, Amorim told TNT Sports: “Just focus on the game, prepare for the game we have. I expect to have some minutes from Bruno and Mason Mount maybe. So we’ll see, we’ll have more quality that we have. There are players ready to help us.”
Asked if Fernandes and Mount might return for the next game, Amorim said: “We’ll see.”
Amorim has already stated that United won’t be busy in January, having spent over £200million in the summer. “United is one of the best clubs in the world. If you are here and focusing on a different club then something is wrong with you,” he added.
Bruno Fernandes has sat out of the recent games(Image: Getty Images)
The first half was a drab occasion at Elland Road before Aaronson took advantage of some slack defending to put Leeds 1-0 up. Cunha brought United level and later hit the post, but Amorim was largely happy with what he saw.
“I think we played well,” he said. “I think we had more control in this game than we showed against Wolves. That is important because it shows how you can prepare for this week with the mistakes that we learned from the last game. We controlled Leeds, on the set pieces, the second balls, they are really quick up front. We controlled it well.
“We had our opportunities to win the game. We are losing games on the details – the Leeds goal, we are controlling the game and then one kick of the ball in transition but we managed to get back into the game. Last year it would be completely different. This year we are more in control of the games than we were last year but we are frustrated not to win.”
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