How Ruben Amorim can alter Manchester United without Bruno Fernandes

Photo: Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes is reportedly set to be out injured over the coming weeks, presenting an entirely new challenge to Manchester United and Ruben Amorim, given the midfielder's impressive record of availability over the years.

His injury, a soft tissue, hamstring issue, could reportedly sideline him for up to a month, potentially missing six matches in United's congested festive schedule. This also comes amid other absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations as well as multiple injuries across the squad.

Fernandes has been an ever-present engine in United's midfield, and while his role has been altered over Amorim's 12 months at United, he remains the primary source of creativity and attacking impetus, together with a reliable leader on the pitch. The 31-year-old ranks first in chances created in the Premier League this season with 51, and for United he has the most goal involvements, assists, touches, progressive passes, passes into final third, and possession won.

His rare absence will end up exposing both United's depth issues as well as the lack of senior figures within the squad. However, instead of panicking, this period should serve as an opportunity for Amorim to test different solutions, especially given Fernandes' uncertain future at the club.

So, how can Amorim alter his United side?

1) Redistribute creative responsibility

One obvious task is replacing Fernandes' creative influence, both in terms of providing key, incisive passes and controlling a match's tempo.

The options Amorim has primarily revolve around redistributing the creative responsibility within the team.

He can either lean on Casemiro's excellent ball progression, allowing the Brazilian to remain more central than he has already done so far this season, pushing attacking midfielders further forward.

Otherwise, he can also opt for a midfield duo of Casemiro and Mason Mount, with the English midfielder having the capabilities to fulfil that Fernandes role, being very energetic, a good ball carrier, and also excellent at link-up play.

Another option would be to finally allow Kobbie Mainoo to take over from Fernandes, just as Amorim has hinted at throughout the whole season. The young midfielder was desperately unlucky that the one game that Fernandes ended up getting injured in, he was also unavailable for due to a calf injury. Mainoo is a press-proven midfielder who is capable of breaking the lines with neat play with fellow midfielders, so he would be the ideal replacement. It all matters if Amorim is ready to play Mainoo given the speculation surrounding his future.

2) Adjust midfield shape

Over the months that Amorim has been at United, he has prioritised structure, yet with Fernandes out, United will need to make some adjustments to their midfield configuration.

An option Amorim has is to tuck his attacking midfielders inward more so that they get on the ball and then bring the wingbacks more into play. Once one of the attacking midfielders receives the ball, the other needs to make incisive runs to drag defenders out of position, before producing the penetrative through ball.

Such tweaks could retain Amorim's structural discipline while also subtly boosting the attacking intent of the team, which will be vital in a period where United cannot rely on Fernandes' usual creativity.

3) Promote from within

An area of Amorim's management that has been heavily criticised is his use of the academy.

United have a very rich current crop of youngsters, with a number of promising talents coming through. Yet Amorim has repeatedly opted against using academy products, and his recent comments about Harry Amass and Chido Obi in particular have not been met with positive reactions from many United fans.

Sunday's defeat at Aston Villa had plenty of positives, despite the result, and of the standouts was the introduction of two academy debutants, Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher.

It would be unfair to expect immediate creative firepower from players like Fletcher, given the huge creative burden that Fernandes carries, but the 18-year-old is very progressive on the ball and he could be an option for Amorim.

Opting for Fletcher could also help signal his faith in the next generation, while also adding fresh legs and a sense of hunger in midfield that Fernandes offers.

4) Be flexible tactically

Amorim has been very rigid in his tactical structure over the past months, but in recent matches he has also shown a willingness to alter his system.

United have moved away from constantly being in a rigid 3-4-3, to shifting positions during the game, including to a 4-4-2 and a 3-5-2.

In order to navigate this tough period with so many players out, Amorim could opt for a 3-5-2, allowing Matheus Cunha to play alongside Benjamin Sesko, while Mount can offer some legs in attacking midfield. That way, United can afford to have a more defensive midfield duo like Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, or have a good ball progressor like Mainoo.

This does not represent a wholesale system overhaul, but will allow Amorim to refine certain roles within the existing structure, allowing United to remain competitive without their crucial captain.

5) Utilise the January window

The final option that we opted for is to utilise the January transfer window, but thoughtfully.

Fernandes' injury should not necessarily force United into any panic buys, with Amorim repeatedly stressing the importance of sticking to the club's plan rather than making any urgent, undisciplined signings.

However, should United be serious about strengthening their midfield long-term, this moments highlights the value of signing a midfielder who is creative, is box-to-box, and ensures intensity.

United have looked at options like Conor Gallagher and Ruben Neves in recent months, and they have been discussed as possible January options, yet it remains unclear whether they would be willing to sanction moves for such midfielders.

Amorim and United will already be targeting a new No.6 in the summer, with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Angelo Stiller and Carlos Baleba all being mentioned. However, they will need a good ball progressor and creative midfield to deputise for Fernandes or to take his place, especially if Mainoo does end up leaving. Essentially, everything depends on Mainoo's future, as he would be the ideal player to slot in for the captain.

Final take

Losing Fernandes for a month is a huge blow to United, not just in terms of his creativity, but also because of the leadership he provides to a relatively young team. However, this period can also be reframed into a sort of stress test for Amorim.

If Amorim adapts intelligently - redistributing creative responsibility, tweaking his shape and putting faith in the youth, then United can navigate this tough spell without losing their current momentum of positive performances.