Ruben Amorim provides worrying fitness update on Bruno Fernandes and one other Manchester United star after Aston Villa loss

Ruben Amorim has provided an update on Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo after their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

A brace from Morgan Rogers, which arrived either side of Matheus Cunha’s equalizer gave Aston Villa a famous win at Villa Park. Adding insult to injury, the Red Devils saw their festive cheer marred by an injury to Fernandes during the contest. The Portuguese midfielder was seen holding his hamstring in pain during the first half and was replaced by Lisandro Martinez at half-time.

Similarly, Mainoo, who has been on the fringes in Amorim’s first team, was not included in the matchday squad after he picked up a minor injury in training on Saturday. Speaking after the game, Amorim was asked about Fernandes’ condition.

“I think it's soft tissue," the United boss told Sky Sports. "So, it's going to take a while. We'll see. It is really strange. During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that.”

In what would come as harsh news to the United faithful, Amorim further revealed that Fernandes will miss some of the club’s upcoming games. He added:

“I don't know, I think he is going to lose some games, but I don't know for sure," the head coach revealed. "I don't want to talk about the matter, it is a guy who is always fit and he has shown he can always recover.”

The update on Mainoo wasn’t a positive one either, with Amorim confirming that the young English midfielder is ‘out’ for their next match. Manchester United will face Newcastle United in their next league match on Boxing Day, followed by a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 30.

It marked the third time that Fernandes was substituted at halftime of a game for Manchester United in what was his 292nd start for the club. The other two came in October 2020 against Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League) and Real Sociedad in February 2021 (Europa League).

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United ‘were the better team’ after 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa

Reacting to his side’s 2-1 defeat to Villa, Amorim claimed United were the better team on the evening even after Fernandes was substituted. He argued that they defend the opposition’s transitions quite well but admitted that what matters at the end of the day is the result.

“I think we were the better team today,” he told Sky Sports. “We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno, but during the game even without him we were the better team. We blocked the transitions quite well and they did really well. We did a very good job that no one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result.”

The result means Manchester United sit seventh in the Premier League table.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide