Manchester United are staring down a sobering spell without Bruno Fernandes – and it may yet shape their January plans.
The club captain was withdrawn at half-time during the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa after suffering soft tissue damage, with Ruben Amorim confirming that Bruno Fernandes will miss “some games.” For a side already struggling for stability, losing their most influential figure during a packed festive schedule is a brutal blow.
There is also a growing sense that United may be forced into the transfer market. With their reported number one January target, Antoine Semenyo, understood to favour a move to Manchester City, Amorim’s options could narrow further. Missing out on a primary target while losing the side’s creative focal point would place even greater pressure on internal solutions during a critical period.
The most immediate adjustment may be Mason Mount dropping deeper. Amorim clearly trusts Mount, who has started United’s last three Premier League matches and offers tactical intelligence, tireless running and positional discipline.
While Mount lacks Fernandes’ final-third flair, his ability to retain possession and press with purpose could bring much-needed midfield order alongside Casemiro. The downside is felt further forward, where United are already short of attacking options, but control may trump creativity in the short term.
Martinez impressed in midfield
Lisandro Martinez’s second-half appearance in midfield against Aston Villa did not go unnoticed.
United looked calmer, more compact and considerably more composed once the Argentine was introduced. Comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and decisive in distribution, Martinez helped restore a sense of structure that had been missing in the opening 45 minutes.
Though best known as a centre-back, Martinez has midfield experience from his Ajax days and possesses the positional awareness and passing precision to operate there effectively. He will not be a consistent goal threat, but his strengths lie in control, communication and concentration.
With fixtures coming thick and fast, Martinez offers Amorim a dependable, disciplined option who can complement Casemiro and prevent matches from descending into chaos. It is not an exciting solution, but it is a sensible one – and in this context, stability may be more valuable than spectacle.
Is it Mainoo’s time?
For many supporters, this situation screams opportunity for Kobbie Mainoo.
Despite scoring the winning goal in the 2024 FA Cup final and representing England at Euro 2024, Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game this campaign. Amorim has previously stated that the academy graduate is competing directly with Fernandes, making this absence a pivotal moment in his development.
However, a calf injury is expected to rule Mainoo out of the immediate fixtures, raising the risk that another option establishes themselves before he returns. That would be a frustrating delay for a player many believe should already be central to United’s midfield future.
When fit, Mainoo brings composure, courage and control – qualities United sorely need. He may not yet match Fernandes’ output, but his ability to dictate tempo and progress play aligns with Amorim’s long-term vision.
United cannot replace Fernandes – on the pitch or in the dressing room. How they cope without him, and whether they lean on the market or their own midfield options, could define not just January, but the direction of this rebuild.
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