Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, United manager Erik ten Hag described the Portuguese as a 'doubt' because of a hand problem. He has recently been wearing a protective cast and it remains to be seen if he will once again be able to play through the pain barrier. Fernandes has never missed a United game through injury since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon just over four years ago, meaning it would take something extreme to force him to miss out. Ten Hag said the midfielder will "do his best" to be involved.
But amid the prospect of him not making the cut, United will be forced into making a change in midfield they never usually have to think about. With that said, MEN Sport has had a look at three ways United could line up in London if the skipper is deemed unavailable.
MOUNT BAGS A START
After making six substitute appearances since returning from a long-term injury lay-off in March, Mason Mount will be desperate to start at Selhurst Park in the event of Fernandes missing out.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 06, 2024 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 06, 2024 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'We must show personality and character'
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Any progress over the past few games has been brutally dismantled...
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LEAKY ROOF INTERRUPTS AMORIM'S PRESS CALL
RUBEN Amorim's post-match press conference was interrupted by a leak in the ceiling yesterday.
WE DESERVE MORE FROM GAMES - MARTINEZ
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Boss refuses to blame United's set-piece coach
RUBEN Amorim admitted that United became nervous against Bournemouth from the moment they conceded a set-piece – and that the anxiety came from the stands as well as from the players.
'Everybody is so anxious, everyone in the club is tired of these moments'
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City's 'low confidence' key for Villa
ASTON Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted his side felt they could take advantage of City’s lack of confidence during their 2-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday.
'We are not solid on the ball, we are not creating much and that defines the team at this moment'
CITY'S woeful run of form continued as the Blues slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
FURY DECISION IS JUST 'NUTS'
PROMOTER Frank Warren was quick to express his dismay following Tyson Fury’s unanimous points loss to world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, describing the scoring as ‘nuts’.