Without Bruno, we need more leaders in the group, United boss says
Ruben Amorim has said Bruno Fernandes cannot be replaced but believes Manchester United’s growing injury list is an opportunity for others to step up.
Fernandes will miss Thursday’s Boxing Day match against Newcastle after being withdrawn at half-time of Sunday’s defeat at Aston Villa with a soft-tissue injury. Kobbie Mainoo is also sidelined with a calf problem, leaving United without two central midfield options.
“It is impossible to replace Bruno,” Amorim said. “But I said that this morning to the team – we need to take the good thing, if there is a good thing on that, which is a lot of people need to step up.
“It is not just the creation. Every set piece he is the guy who is organising the team and that is a good opportunity for everyone to step up and understand we cannot rely on one player for everything.”
Fernandes has been United’s main source of creativity this season and is central to their set-piece prowess so far under Amorim. He has made six assists from set-piece situations so far this season.
His absence is compounded by Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo being away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
“Sometimes we rely on Bruno for organisation and the creation,” Amorim said. “We have lost Bruno on set pieces, Bryan and Amad on set pieces, so this is massive for the team.
“He understands every position on the field, he pays attention to every detail. Every set piece when you have a substitution he is always the guy telling the other guys where they should be.
But that is a very good opportunity for guys like Licha [Lisandro Martinez], Luke Shaw, all these guys. We need to step up to have more leaders in the group because this can happen to Bruno. It is not usual but this can happen.”
Amorim said Jack Fletcher, who made his debut at Villa Park, was an option in midfield as United try to cope without their captain.
“We have other players, we need to maybe try to see different ways of playing,” Amorim said. “I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job and that is why when we have this opportunity we have to give space to Jack and the other ones. We will find solutions.”
