Bruno Fernandes is the bloody heartbeat of Manchester United, mate.
This Portuguese lad has missed just eight out of 17 footy matches in all competitions – nine in the Premier League – since joining the Red Devils back in January 2020. Fernandes' reliability is second to none at Old Trafford, and his ability to deliver when United need a moment of genius is unparalleled.
The 31-year-old has played more minutes than any other top-level player in the beautiful game since he arrived at Manchester United. But now, Ruben Amorim's men will have to figure out how to manage without their star player for a few matches after he injured his hamstring during Sunday's 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Bruno Fernandes' injury record at Manchester United
Despite this setback, it might come as a surprise to some that Manchester United haven't been completely hopeless without Fernandes. In the 17 games he's missed, United have won eight, giving them a win percentage of 47.10 per cent. They've drawn three and lost six without the Portuguese maestro in midfield.
The Red Devils have scored 26 goals in those games – an average of 1.5 goals per match – while conceding 24, an average of 1.4 goals per game. While these statistics might give United some hope for the next few games, there's no denying that Fernandes has been a massive part of the team's success in recent years.
In 308 appearances for the Red Devils, Fernandes has been on the winning side 158 times, with 71 draws and 79 losses. United have scored 545 goals with the Portuguese in the team – an average of 1.8 goals per game – and conceded 389, an average of 1.3 per game. United's win percentage with Fernandes is slightly better at 51.30 per cent.
The midfielder missed just one game in his first season at Old Trafford, three the following season, three in the 2021/22 season, three in the 2022/23 season, and four in the 2023/24 season. He was sidelined for matches against Fenerbahce, Brentford, and Newcastle last season.
United haven't won any of their last six games without Fernandes, and he's set to miss another match against Newcastle on Boxing Day due to the injury he picked up at Villa Park. To make matters worse, he could be out for up to a month, potentially missing seven matches.
Fernandes is a game-changer, and Manchester United will undoubtedly miss him. But as Martin O'Neil said on White and Jordan, his absence could also be an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth.
