Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes should prepare for rotation next season, says Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says Bruno Fernandes needs to be ready for rotation next season.
Fernandes has started all of United’s Premier League games this term, and is second only to Matthijs de Ligt for minutes played.
Amorim left Fernandes out of the line-up at League Two Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, but brought him on at half-time, and United’s head coach has only taken his captain off in two top flight matches, for a total of eight minutes. De Ligt has played all 900 possible minutes in the Premier League.
Fernandes has very rarely been out of the side since joining United in January 2020 – only missing three games through injury or illness – and continues to contribute significantly.
But Amorim has warned Fernandes, 31, that his ever-presence will not go on into 2026-27.
“We have one game per week, he’s always available,” said Amorim ahead of Saturday’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
“It’s really hard. We have good things on that, to play just one game, but then there’s a lot of players that should be playing, should be dividing the minutes, should be fighting for their places in a different way. But we don’t have the space.
“So I’m not thinking about now the rotation of the players. In the future, yes, is something that Bruno needs to understand. If you want to win every game that you are a part, with European games, is going to have to rotate.
“So good question, just for Bruno to put in his head, that maybe next year he’s going to be in rotation in the team.”
Amorim sees Kobbie Mainoo as in competition with Fernandes for the No 8 role in his midfield, and the 20-year-old’s scarcity of minutes is why he will look to leave on loan in January.
Mainoo has played 138 minutes in the Premier League this term, as well as the full 90 against Grimsby, and is is set to miss Saturday’s game in north London with a knock.
Jack Fletcher, the 18-year-old son of former United midfielder and current youth coach Darren, has travelled to London and could be in the squad.
United will also be in the market for at least one new midfielder across the coming winter and summer windows. But Amorim’s words also show he is planning with Fernandes next season.
Fernandes, who says he is running more than ever in the deeper role, was the subject of serious interest from Al Hilal in May and June, and accepted his future was somewhat uncertain in a recent interview to mark his 300th appearance for the club. His current contract runs to 2027 with an optional extra year.
Casemiro’s position at United is set to end next summer, with his deal running out and the club highly unlikely to trigger their option for another season. But Amorim is keeping the door open on a player who, at 33, has won back his place in the team.
“We don’t know what is going to happen,” said Amorim. “My goal is to continue to count with Casemiro, with Harry Maguire, that he has the same problem (contract expiring in 2026).
“Let’s focus on this season. I’m really happy with Casemiro, he is really important. I’m really happy with Harry, but I know what you guys are asking, let’s focus on this season and then we’ll see the next season.”
United are expected to wait until later in the season before deciding whether to initiate talks on new deals for Casemiro and Maguire, although both can sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January.
