For Manchester United, Sunday night at Villa Park was a disaster on multiple fronts. The Red Devils fell 2-1 to Aston Villa, and their captain, Bruno Fernandes, was forced off with a thigh injury, adding to a night of disappointment for the club.
Morgan Rogers’ double secured the win for Aston Villa, continuing their remarkable run of form. Matheus Cunha managed a goal for United, but it was only a minor consolation. Aston Villa have now achieved seven consecutive league victories for the first time since 1990, and this marked their tenth straight win across all competitions.
Fernandes began to experience discomfort in his thigh towards the end of the first half. Though he stayed on until the interval, he was unable to return for the second half. Ruben Amorim, United’s coach, revealed the seriousness of the injury: “It’s likely a soft tissue or hamstring issue. He may be out for a while, but Bruno is usually in excellent condition, so we hope he recovers quickly.”
This injury comes at a particularly challenging moment for United, as several key players are unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Brian Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui are away on international duty, while Mathias de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain sidelined with injuries. In addition, Kobi Maimu missed the Villa match after suffering a muscle strain in training.
Due to the shortage of senior players, Amorim was compelled to hand Premier League debuts to 18-year-olds Jack Fletcher and Shea Leskie. Their introduction highlights the pressure on United’s squad, as the club struggles to field a fully fit team.
Looking ahead, United will face Newcastle United on Boxing Day. If Fernandes is unable to play, he will miss a third match due to injury since joining the club in 2020, a worrying trend for a team already chasing a top-four finish.
In the Premier League standings, Aston Villa sit third with 36 points from 17 games, while Manchester City are in second with 37 points, and Arsenal lead with 39 points. Manchester United are seventh with 26 points, underscoring the urgency of recovering form and fitness as the season reaches its midpoint.
Sunday’s defeat and the injury to Fernandes compound a difficult period for the Red Devils, highlighting the challenges faced by Ruben Amorim in balancing injuries, international absences, and the pressure to maintain their position among the league’s elite.