Ruben Amorim has urged his Manchester United players to rise up and cover for Bruno Fernandes while acknowledging that replacing the wounded captain will be “impossible”.
Fernandes is one of seven players who will miss the Boxing Day match against Newcastle at Old Trafford due to a hamstring strain he sustained in Sunday’s loss to Aston Villa, which could keep him out for up to a month.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui are abroad at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs De Ligt, and Harry Maguire are all injured.
Fernandes has only missed two games due to illness and injury in his six-year United career, so this is his first major layoff.
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Amorim Urges His Team To Bring Out Their Best
Amorim reckons the only positive aspect is that it will force his teammates to take on more responsibility.
“It is impossible to replace Bruno, but I said that this morning to the team,” said Amorim as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“We need to take the good thing – if there is a good thing on that – a lot of people need to step up.
“We understand we cannot rely on one player for everything. Sometimes we rely on Bruno for organisation and the creation.
“He understands every position on the field, and pays attention to every detail; every set-piece when you have a substitution he is always the guy telling the other guys where they should be.
“It is not just the creation: every set-piece he is the guy who is organising the team, and that is a good opportunity for everyone to step up.
“We have lost Bruno on set-pieces, Bryan and Amad on set-pieces, so this is massive for the team.
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