Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is an injury doubt for the Manchester derby this weekend
Bruno Fernandes in action for Manchester United against Wolves in February 2024.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester United are sweating on the fitness of Bruno Fernandes ahead of this weekend's crunch clash with Manchester City.
Fernandes starred as Erik ten Hag's side beat Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday, but the Portugal international could now miss the derby on Sunday afternoon.
Fernandes was seen hobbling out of the City Ground after the match, while Ten Hag admitted afterwards that the 29-year-old has been struggling with an injury for a while.
Will Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes be fit enough to play against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon?
Erik ten Hag (Image credit: Getty Images)
"We have serious problems. I was very happy Rapha [Varane] fought to play this game and also Bruno. He had a very bad injury as well. He fought to be part of this game," the United boss said, before accusing Forest of targeting the attacking midfielder.
"So I don't go to tell what it was but it was a serious injury. When you see that maybe they criticise him on social media, it's pathetic. It can't be. He has a serious injury, he continued to play on Saturday [against Fulham]."
United fans will have to wait and see whether Fernandes is ready to face Manchester City, but the early signs do not sound good.
Fantasy Premier League managers will be watching the situation closely. Fernandes has scored three goals and provided five assists so far this season.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).
