Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes a doubt for the Tottenham clash
According to ESPN (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes is a doubt to face Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday due to a suspected ankle injury.
The Portuguese international had a physically tough game against Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday and was taken off in the first half of extra time. Once he was off, there was a strapping in his lower leg.
Now, the United medical staff will assess him closely before deciding whether or not the 28-year-old can take any part in an important league game against Spurs on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag’s men go into this game six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand. However, a defeat on Thursday can swing the momentum towards the north London side, who potentially may have a new manager bounce under Ryan Mason (we doubt that happening to be fair).
United missed Fernandes in the midfield in the second leg of the Europa League tie against Sevilla last Thursday. As a result, they lost that game 3-0 and bowed out of Europe meekly.
If the 28-year-old misses the Spurs game, the responsibility would lie on the shoulders of Christian Eriksen to link the play up between midfield and attack. Marcus Rashford, who looked hit-and-miss against Brighton, may want to get back to scoring goals again.
Ten Hag might look to rotate his XI a bit as the team went through a lot while beating Brighton on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
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With such a tight turnaround, can the manager risk playing the ones who were on the field for 120 minutes, from the start? We would doubt that happening. But, there might be an exception. The likes of Casemiro and Rashford may have to start even if they are 75% ready.