Ruben Amorim has called on two of his key players to raise their performance as “people need to step up” amid an injury to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United have been dealt a huge blow as they take on Newcastle United in the Boxing Day Premier League fixture.
In the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, captain Bruno Fernandes was forced to come off at half-time due to what has now been confirmed as a hamstring injury. While Ruben Amorim refuses to give a time limit on his layoff, it is expected that the Portuguese star may be out for a month.
Lisandro Martinez came on in a surprise move to fill the gap in the midfield, with Jack Fletcher also being handed a debut. Casemiro is also set to return following his suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
However, replacing Fernandes is more than just about his on-field ability. It is also about replacing the leadership and management qualities he possesses.
Amorim challenges Shaw and Martinez
Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are both pivotal members of the squad. Not only are both members of Amorim’s new leadership group, which he created in the summer, but they also have their own styles of leadership.
Shaw, being the longest serving player, commands his own respect, while Martinez, since joining in 2022, has always been earmarked as captain quality with the way he not only speaks but also the high standards he holds his teamates too.
When speaking about what the loss of Fernandes brings, he said: “It’s more difficult, but I trust in my players, and if we are really focused, we can win. I think it’s impossible to replace Bruno, but I said to the team we need to take the good thing, if there is a good thing, that a lot of people need to step up.
“They need to understand we cannot rely on one player for everything, and sometimes we rely on Bruno in the organisation, in the creation. We have lost Bruno, Amad and Bryan for set-pieces, so this is massive for the team, but it’s an opportunity for other players to step up and show leadership in the team.”
Amorim mentioned a lot about other players to step up, and he earmarked both Shaw and Martinez as players to do so.
“That is a very good opportunity for guys like Licha [Martinez] and Luke Shaw, all these guys, we need to step up to have more leaders in the group.”
United forced to show a different side
In his time at the club, Fernandes has only missed nine matches, but never a significant period like now.
Almost all of the play goes through the Portuguese maestro, so United will be forced to adapt. With Kobbie Mainoo out injured, one of Manuel Ugarte or Martinez will likely accompany Casemiro in the midfield, unless Fletcher gets a surprise start.
That would leave United without a true creative star to link the midfield to the attack, with the senior options all being of a similar defensive ilk. While Casemiro can play a killer ball and Martinez can break the lines with his passes, they both lack the all-round ability of Fernandes.
Perhaps a slight adjustment to the shape to pack the midfield and play with a three in the centre of the park, with either Mason Mount or Matheus Cunha acting as the third midfielder in a ten role, could be a way to fill the gap.
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