Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted it is impossible to replace injured captain Bruno Fernandes but has called on other players to step up in his absence.
The Portugal international is set for a spell on the sidelines with a soft tissue injury sustained in the defeat to Aston Villa and while Amorim does not expect the midfielder to be out for long, he knows others need to fill the void.
Fernandes, who has started every Premier League match this season, provides the creativity on the pitch which has been integral to United.
He has been the most creative player in the PL this season, creating 51 chances. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku is his closest rival with less than 40 and United have lost six and drawn one of the last seven matches he has not started.
But while Fernandes is sidelined, Amorim, who will also be without Kobbie Mainoo, expects his team-mates to take on extra responsibility.
“It is impossible to replace Bruno but I said that this morning to the team,” said the United boss ahead of the Boxing Day visit of Newcastle.
“We need to take the good thing – if there is a good thing on that – that a lot of people need to step up and understand we cannot rely on one player for everything.
“Sometimes we rely on Bruno for organisation and the creation. We have lost Bruno on set-pieces, Bryan (Mbeumo) and Amad (Diallo) on set-pieces, so this is massive for the team.
🚨 The latest on Bruno’s fitness after he was withdrawn at half-time. pic.twitter.com/7UzucANg4q
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2025
“But it is an opportunity for other players to step up and show the leadership that we need in the team.”
In addition to his talent on the ball, United have always looked to Fernandes for leadership.
Asked what the team would miss in that respect, Amorim added: “Everything.
“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, so it is a big opportunity for the other guys.
“We have other players we need to maybe try to see different ways of playing. I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job (when he came on against Villa) and that is why when we have this opportunity we have to give space to Jack and the other ones.
“We will find solutions to play.”
After Newcastle, United face bottom side Wolves, Leeds, Burnley and Brighton and it is a spell which they have to take advantage of before back-to-back games against Manchester City and Arsenal having won just two of their last eight league matches.
“I am confident we can win any game,” Amorim said.
“Of course we have some problems, but even without many players in this moment in time I believe in the team and I believe we can win any game.
“Of course it is more difficult but I trust in my players and if we are really focused, we can win.”
