When it rains, it pours. Club captain Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for Monday night’s game against Crystal Palace.
Manchester United and injuries are now feeling like a match made in hell. The treatment table woes have persisted all season long, with the Red Devils losing important player after important player for prolonged periods of time.
Whether or not there is a deeper lying issue behind these problems, or whether it’s just bad luck remains to be seen. Either way, it’s making Erik ten Hag’s job infinitely harder.
One man who is often praised for his toughness, durability and availability is Bruno Fernandes. Recently, the Portugal international suffered a broken hand. He didn’t let that bother him. Instead, he played through the pain.
However, it seems as though he’s suffered another problem, leaving United with a fresh injury doubt about their key star. Ten Hag confirmed that Bruno is fighting to be fit for the Crystal Palace game on Monday, though he is a doubt at the moment.
Check out what the gaffer had to say in full here:
“Then also, after the game, we had an issue with Bruno [Fernandes] so he is a doubt for Monday, but he will fight to be a part of this game, as we know with Bruno.” Ten Hag told the media, including ManUtd.com.
“Never rule him out for any game and he is giving his best to be available.
I’m torn between wanting Bruno to fight through the pain and continue to play at 75%, and giving him the game off and letting him rest. The problem with the latter is that without him, this side offers very little in the way of chance creation.
Bruno is our main source for goals and assists. I cannot imagine how bad we’d look without our number eight at the heart of midfield. Quite frankly, it’d be a drab watch.
On the flip side, United absolutely need Bruno at 100% to stand any chance of beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final later this month. If he’s even one percent below his best, I fear the Reds could be on the wrong end of an absolute battering.
Do you think Bruno Fernandes will be fit to play against Crystal Palace? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.