Bruno Fernandes will return from injury in January, Ruben Amorim has said, while the head coach believes Kobbie Mainoo is “the future of Manchester United”.
On Sunday, Fernandes was replaced at half-time by Lisandro Martinez during United’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, a match which Mainoo missed with a calf injury.
Amorim said Fernandes, 31, had suffered a “soft tissue” injury and speaking ahead of the Boxing Day visit of Newcastle United, the United coach said both the Portugal midfielder and Mainoo would miss the clash but should return within “three weeks”.
“In three weeks, we’ll have Amad, Nous (Mazraoui), Bryan (Mbeumo) and the return of Bruno, Kobbie Mainoo,” Amorim said.
Amad, Mazraoui and Mbeumo are all currently playing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will conclude on January 18.
United remain without injured centre-backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt for the visit of Newcastle, although Casemiro returns from suspension.
After hosting Newcastle, Amorim’s side welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 30 before a visit to Leeds United on January 4 and trip to Burnley three days later.
United host Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round on January 11, with the Manchester derby at Old Trafford six days later — a match which Fernandes may return.
Amorim also spoke of the future of Mainoo, whom he said “deserves and needs more minutes” in his side while adding that the 20-year-old’s current injury was “bad luck” due to the absence of Fernandes.
Mainoo’s first-team minutes have been limited this season (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
“Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity he has all the time,” Amorim said. “He played in different positions and we talk about the position of Casemiro, he can do that position.
“He can play, if we play with three, he can play like we play in the last game, in the position of Mason Mount in this game (a No. 10 who drops into midfield).
“So, he’s going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling. So he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days.”
Mainoo’s only start this season for United was in the shock Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town.
Due to the volume of absentees against Villa, youngsters Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey made their United debuts.
Fernandes, the United captain, made headlines before the game after saying he felt “hurt” that United were opening to selling him last summer.