Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes ‘impossible’ to replace, says Amorim

Manchester United coy on when captain Bruno Fernandes will return to Premier League action from injury.Published On 24 Dec 2025Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim ‌says it will be impossible to replace injured captain Bruno Fernandes, but insists that the Portugal ‍midfielder’s absence is an opportunity for others to step up.“It’s impossible to replace Bruno,” Amorim told reporters ‍on Wednesday, before Friday’s home game against Newcastle United, adding, “a lot of people need to step up.”Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Stokes concerned for England’s mental wellbeing on Ashes tour of Australialist 2 of 45-time major winner Koepka quits lucrative LIV Golf tour to focus on familylist 3 of 4AFCON: Jackson at the double as Senegal defeat Botswana 3-0list 4 of 4Wasteful Nigeria edge past Tanzania to make winning start to AFCON 2025end of listFernandes was forced off at halftime during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa with a soft-tissue injury, leaving United without their creative fulcrum and set-piece organiser.The Times reported United are hopeful Fernandes could ⁠return for the Manchester derby on January 17. Amorim, however, declined to discuss the extent of the ​injury but acknowledged the void it creates.“It’s not just the creation. On every set piece, he is the guy organising the team, and that is a good opportunity for everyone ‍to step up ⁠and realise we can’t rely on one player for everything. Sometimes we rely on Bruno for the organisation and creation.“We lost Bruno, Bryan [Mbeumo] and Amad [Diallo] in set pieces, so this is massive for the team, but it’s an opportunity for other players to step up and show the leadership we need in the team.”Mbeumo and Diallo are away at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.Mainoo remains unavailable for Man UtdNobody ​has created more chances in the Premier League this season than Fernandes, and United will now have to rejig their midfield, with Amorim confirming that unsettled youngster Kobbie Mainoo will also miss the game.