Fernandes loss leaves United boss Amorim facing two big issues

IT'S going to be a strange experience for Bruno Fernandes on Boxing Day when he sits down to watch United and is unable to influence the action.

- By TYRONE MARSHALL

Whether Fernandes has his hamstring wrapped up in the warm at home, or has his big coat on at Old Trafford, he isn't going to know what to do with himself when his teammates take on Newcastle United.

Fernandes is 31 and a veteran of 683 appearances for club and country but, astonishingly, he has missed only four games in his career through injury.

Two of those were for Portugal in the March 2019 international break and then two for United in May 2024.

He has missed two more games due to illness, in 2017 and 2022, and that is it.

It's a remarkable injury record, but one that was unlikely to last as age caught up with the durable Portugal international.

The sight of him clutching his hamstring just before halftime at Villa Park on Sunday confirmed Ruben Amorim's worst fears.

Amorim will offer an update on Fernandes' fitness when he holds his pre-Newcastle press conference today, but he is expected to be absent for around a month.

Amorim might also offer a few clues as to how he might replace his captain, although he is arguably irreplaceable.

Fernandes has again been the beating heart of this team this season. Playing slightly ahead of Casemiro, he has 12 goal involvements in 17 Premier League games and set the tone for performances, as he often does.