‎'We Will Struggle': Ruben Amorim Issues Stark January Transfer Warning After Bruno Fernandes Injury Blow for Man Utd

‎Ruben Amorim has warned that Manchester United are set to “struggle” after captain Bruno Fernandes was added to an expanding injury list, though the Portuguese coach has made it clear he will not push the club into urgent spending during the January transfer window. In a sobering message to supporters, Amorim insists the Red Devils intend to push forward with their existing squad rather than seek quick fixes.

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Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United face a tough period after Bruno Fernandes suffered an injury, but insists the club will not rush into January transfer spending despite growing absences.

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‎Fernandes Added to Manchester United Injury List

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‎Manchester United dropped more valuable Premier League points following a 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa. Morgan Rogers struck twice for the hosts, while defensive weaknesses once again proved costly for United, with Leny Yoro enduring a difficult outing in the West Midlands.

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‎The disappointing result was compounded by the loss of Fernandes to injury. The midfielder appeared to clutch his hamstring during the first half at Villa Park and did not return for the second period.

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‎United were already without Kobbie Mainoo, who missed the match due to a knock, while Matthijs de Ligt also remains sidelined. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are unavailable as they represent their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations.

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‎With his options stretched thin, Amorim turned to youth, introducing academy prospects Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey from the bench. Nineteen-year-old Ayden Heaven was named in the starting XI.

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‎January Transfer Window: No Spending Spree Planned

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‎Manchester United are still awaiting a full medical update on Fernandes, but the midfielder is expected to miss games during the festive period. Addressing the situation, Amorim said:

‎“I will see what we’re going to do. I think Kobbie Mainoo is out and Bruno is out. So we will see. We are going to find solutions. No excuses. We need to win the next game and we will try to win the next game.”

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‎Despite mounting challenges, Amorim ruled out reactive recruitment in January. The 40-year-old explained his stance on the upcoming window:

‎“What we cannot do is to reach January and try to do everything in urgency and make mistakes and then [it’s] ‘here we go again’ with a lot of mistakes. I’m not going to get [together] with Jason and Omar and say: ‘We need a lot of players.’ Because we have a plan.

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‎“If we have to suffer, the club comes first. Of course, we are in a moment where we need points but we need to find solutions and we are going to continue with our plan. You can feel in this moment that we are going to struggle, but we will see. We have to deal with it.”

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‎Amorim Encouraged Despite Aston Villa Defeat

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‎While the result went against United, Amorim found positives in the performance. Matheus Cunha had cancelled out Rogers’ opening goal, but another lapse in focus allowed Villa to reclaim the lead and secure victory.

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‎Speaking to Sky Sports, Amorim said:

‎“I think everybody saw that we were the better team today, we were unlucky. Even with the injury of Bruno, but during the game even without Bruno we were the better team. The transitions, one against one the whole time, so I think we did a very good job that no one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result.

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‎“We knew that Aston Villa play with everybody inside, and we needed to overload that situation. We have been working, training like that, so different options. We can use different starting 11s for any game, so I think we are improving. Again, I think we deserved so, so much more today.”

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‎Premier League Table: United Seventh Ahead of Newcastle Clash

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‎Fernandes’ problem has been described as a soft tissue injury, though no timeframe has been given for his return. Manchester United will return to Premier League action on Friday when they host Newcastle at Old Trafford.

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‎They currently sit seventh in the table, three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, having managed just two wins from their last eight league matches.