Three Manchester United replacements for Bruno Fernandes vs Fenerbahce, includes two wildcard options

Bruno Fernandes will be unavailable for selection in Manchester United’s clash against Fenerbahce in the Europa League this week.

Manchester United resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with an away clash against Fenerbahce in their third group stage match.

United have struggled early in the competition, drawing their first two games against FC Twente and FC Porto, sparking growing criticism of Erik ten Hag’s tactics and leadership.

However, the team showed encouraging signs over the weekend, producing a strong second-half display to overturn a deficit and secure a win against Brentford in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

Yet, in this upcoming away European clash, Ten Hag’s side will be without their club captain Bruno Fernandes, who is serving a one-match ban after receiving a red card against FC Porto.

There is not one outstanding option to replace the Portuguese playmaker in the no.10 position, but UtdDistrict have identified three potential replacements, with two being wildcard options.

Christian Eriksen

The most obvious replacement for Fernandes in the number 10 role is Christian Eriksen, who has been in solid form recently.

Eriksen provided another solid display against Brentford on the weekend and could move forward while someone like Manuel Ugarte comes in to replace him slightly deeper.

The only question mark surrounding the Dane is that this game could be a potential rest for him. He has started eight of the last nine games and can’t really afford to get injured with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount currently unavailable.

Amad Diallo

Ten Hag could also look to experiment in Fernandes’ absence and use Amad Diallo in the middle, rather than the right-wing.

The Ivorian has not played much in recent weeks, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford on the wings, but has experience playing centrally for United and Sunderland.

He thrived in a false-nine position in the final game of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign and also played in the attacking midfield role regularly on loan in the Championship.

It is a position that suits his skillset and it could be an interesting time to test it for Ten Hag amid the midfield problems he’s faced.

Joshua Zirkzee

Finally, we could get to see Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund in the same lineup if Ten Hag decides to use the Dutch international in the slightly deeper role.

Zirkzee has had a difficult few weeks and will likely start the game in need of confidence and this slight position change could help him get more involved in the game while also having the last-line threat of Højlund on the pitch.

Ten Hag has previously suggested that the pair can play alongside each other and this might be the perfect time to test that out.

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