Amorim sees upside to Fernandes's absence
Ruben Amorim says replacing Bruno Fernandes is impossible, but he is viewing the midfielder's hamstring injury as a chance for other leaders to emerge in Manchester United's squad.
Fernandes will be absent for several weeks after limping out of the Red Devils' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, giving Amorim a major selection headache.
Amorim's team hosts Newcastle United in the only Premier League fixture to take place on Boxing Day this year, but will be without its skipper, who has led from the front so far this season.
Asked if he could put a timeframe on Fernandes's return, Amorim said: "I don't want to say. I have an idea, of course."
United has failed to win any of its seven Premier League games since the start of the 2022-2023 campaign without Fernandes in its starting line-up, losing six of those and drawing one. The Red Devils have netted just four goals across those matches.
Lisandro Martinez – a natural centre-back – replaced Fernandes at Villa Park, and as well as his creativity, Amorim said United will sorely miss its captain's leadership.
But with reports suggesting Fernandes could miss five games before returning for the Manchester derby on 18 January (AEDT), Amorim said the rest of his players must view this period as a chance to impress.
"It's impossible to replace Bruno, but I said that this morning to the team," Amorim said.
"We need to take the good thing, if there is a good thing with this, and a lot of people need to step up.
"It's not just the chance creation. On every set-piece, he is the guy organising the team and that is a good opportunity for everyone to step up and realise we can't rely on one player for everything.
"Sometimes we rely on Bruno for the organisation and creation. We lost Bruno, Bryan [Mbeumo] and Amad [Diallo] in set-pieces, so this is massive for the team, but it's an opportunity for other players to step up and show the leadership we need.
"He understands every position on the field. He pays attention to detail. Before a set-piece, if there is a substitution, he's the one telling the guys where they should be.
"But this is a good chance for Licha [Martinez], Luke Shaw, for all of these guys, to step up and have more leaders in the group. It's a big opportunity for the other guys."
