Manager Ruben Amorim has revealed that Bruno Fernandes, the injured captain of Manchester United, is keen to return to action, even jokingly suggesting that Fernandes might be after his job. The 31-year-old midfielder, sidelined with a soft tissue injury, has been actively supporting his teammates from the stands at Old Trafford, demonstrating his leadership despite not being able to play.
Fernandes sustained the injury during a match eight days ago but continued to play until he was substituted at half-time. Amorim commented, “Bruno was already saying that he needs to train, but we don’t know,” adding, “No chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that.” His absence will be felt in United’s final fixture of a challenging 2025 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The captain’s leadership qualities have remained evident, as Amorim emphasized that Fernandes does not shy away from communicating with his teammates, even when he is not on the pitch. “He cannot be that guy that [when he] is not playing, he’s not talking and speaking,” Amorim stated. “He’s always speaking. That’s why he’s the captain.”
Despite some criticism regarding his body language during matches, Amorim praised Fernandes for his commitment. “Every time he makes recovery from the [previous] game, he is the guy that is going to watch the other guys training that day,” he noted. “There are a lot of things that you guys don’t see that he does. He’s a great leader.”
Amorim confirmed that Fernandes has maintained his involvement with the team while recovering. “Yeah, all the time. He’s the guy that is watching the training. Even after treatment, he’s going there,” he said. “I don’t know if he wants my job or not, but he’s a leader.”
The match against Wolves poses additional challenges for United, as they may also be without key players. The fitness of other squad members, who were assessed after coming off in the recent match against Newcastle United, remains uncertain. Such absentees have led Amorim to adapt his tactical approach, shifting from a back five to a back four—an adjustment he previously resisted.
Amorim explained his reluctance to change formations, stating, “I was trying to build an identity.” However, he acknowledged that the current situation requires flexibility. “We don’t have a lot of players; we need to adapt,” he said. “But they already know and understand why we are changing. It is not because of the pressure from you guys [in the media] or the fans.”
He is optimistic that this adaptability will strengthen the team. “When all the players return, we are not going to play all the time with three defenders. We are going to improve,” he remarked. Amorim emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in strategy, saying, “When we are playing well in our system, I think that is the moment to change if it’s the better thing to win the next game, and that’s what we did.”
As Manchester United prepares for the match against Wolves, the focus remains on recovery and resilience, with Fernandes embodying the spirit of leadership even from the sidelines.
