AMORIM CONFIRMS BRUNO FERNANDES INJURY — WHY MANCHESTER UNITED MUST KEEP KOBBIE MAINOO
Manchester United have been dealt a significant blow after Ruben Amorim confirmed that Bruno Fernandes’ injury is a soft-tissue issue and “is going to take a while” to heal.
The update immediately raised alarm bells among supporters, not only because of Bruno’s importance, but because of what his absence means for an already stretched midfield.
Fernandes is the heartbeat of this United side. He dictates tempo, creates chances, presses relentlessly, and leads both vocally and emotionally.
Losing him for any period is damaging; losing him during a congested run of fixtures could be decisive.
United do not simply lose a midfielder — they lose their organizer, their risk-taker, and their primary source of urgency.
Soft-tissue injuries are particularly concerning.
They are unpredictable, often linger longer than expected, and carry a high risk of recurrence if rushed. Amorim’s words suggest caution rather than optimism, meaning fans should brace themselves for Bruno missing multiple upcoming games rather than making a quick return.
This context makes one thing abundantly clear: Manchester United absolutely cannot afford to let Kobbie Mainoo leave in January.
Mainoo has already shown maturity far beyond his years. Calm in possession, intelligent in his positioning, and brave under pressure, he has repeatedly stepped up when United needed control in midfield.
While he is not a like-for-like replacement for Fernandes, his ability to dictate play, recycle possession, and progress the ball becomes even more vital in Bruno’s absence.
Without Fernandes, United risk losing their midfield balance entirely. Creativity drops, leadership fades, and opponents gain confidence knowing there is less resistance between the lines. Removing Mainoo from that equation — even temporarily — would be reckless. The squad simply does not have the depth or profile to absorb both losses.
January is often a dangerous window for young talents. Interest grows, rumours intensify, and short-term thinking can creep in. But this is precisely the moment United must think long-term.
Mainoo is not surplus, not expendable, and certainly not someone to be loaned or sold when the team is already weakened.
There is also the psychological aspect.
Losing your captain to injury is deflating. Losing a rising star at the same time would send the wrong message to both the dressing room and the fanbase. It would signal instability rather than ambition.
Amorim now faces a serious tactical challenge. Without Bruno, responsibility must be shared, not dumped on one player. Mainoo’s role becomes central — not as a savior, but as a stabilizer. His presence allows others to play with more freedom and reduces the chaos that can overwhelm United when control is lost.
Bruno Fernandes will return — but only if managed properly.
Until then, Manchester United must protect what they have. Keeping Kobbie Mainoo is not just sensible squad management; it is essential survival planning.
With Fernandes sidelined, United’s margin for error is gone. January decisions will define the season — and letting Mainoo leave should not even be an option.
