SHOCK: BRUNO FERNANDES INJURY CONFIRMED AS RUBEN AMORIM SLAMS UNITED’S "UNLUCKY" ASTON VILLA DEFEAT
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes forced off in Villa Park defeat. Amorim reacts to the crisis and academy star debuts.
Manchester United's coach, Ruben Amorim, had a rough day. They lost to Aston Villa 2-1, and Bruno Fernandes got hurt.
Fernandes tried to play after hurting his leg late in the first half, but he couldn't continue after halftime.
His injury didn't help United, who were playing well and tied at halftime.
But Amorim's got more to think about than just Fernandes' injury. United could have tied if they'd finished better. The loss did have some good points, like two teenagers making their debuts.
What did Amorim think of the game? “We played better. We were unlucky, especially with Bruno's injury, but even without him, we still played better. We did great, but no one will remember that. Only the result matters.”
Is this the worst time for a key player to get hurt? “We have to get the other guys ready for the next game. The pressure is still on. No one will remember these issues, so we just have to deal with them.”
You changed your midfield for this game, and it worked: “We knew Aston Villa packs the middle, so we needed to dominate that area. We practiced like that. Now we have options for every game.”
How did you react to Bruno's injury, since he's almost always available? “It's weird, but we've had tons of problems this year. We just have to cope. Fletcher played his first game, which is great. Lacey too. We'll find solutions for the next game.”
Any thoughts on how bad Bruno's injury is? “I think it's a soft tissue injury, so it'll take some time to heal. We'll see.”
What does it mean to give debuts to academy players Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey? “It's a mix of everything. It's the club's history. I've only been here for six years, but even Sporting values their academy. Every coach wants to bring up academy players. I just want to win and make sure the academy players don't struggle too much.”
GARETH BARRY URGES MANCHESTER UNITED TO SIGN ELLIOT ANDERSON FOR £100M
Gareth Barry identifies Elliot Anderson as the ideal Casemiro replacement as the Brazilian prepares to leave Man Utd.
_1775158482.webp)
Gareth Barry, the former Premier League midfielder, thinks Manchester United should target Elliot Anderson to take Casemiro’s place. Casemiro, now 34, already said he’s leaving Old Trafford when his contract ends this summer.
United’s decision not to extend Casemiro’s deal fits with their plan to shake up the squad. They paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million for him in 2022, and with add-ons, the deal reached £70 million. Casemiro’s on big wages around £300,000 a week, which gets closer to £350,000 if United make the Champions League. There’s also uncertainty about Manuel Ugarte’s future. With both potentially on the way out, plenty of names are being floated as replacements.
Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Adam Wharton are all in the conversation, but Barry sees Anderson as the best option.
Talking to BOYLE Sports, Barry explained, “Manchester United will definitely be searching for someone to fill Casemiro’s shoes. Anderson isn’t the same kind of player, and there’s a big age difference, too. What he brings is pretty unique.
“I really rate Elliot Anderson. If you’re a United scout, you’re talking about him. Off the ball, there aren’t many better. He presses, he shuts down space, and he’s great at winning the ball back. Plus, he can play forward too.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel starts him for England over some big names, and why he could easily start at the World Cup. I’m sure he’s getting discussed in various boardrooms, not just at Manchester United.
“If a move’s going to happen, it’s better to get it over the line quickly. It just makes everything smoother for both clubs and the player, especially with a big tournament coming up.”
Barry added, “No one wants uncertainty hanging over Anderson while he’s focused on England at the World Cup. It doesn’t help anyone. And if he has a standout tournament, his price could easily go up.
“So if everyone agrees it’s time for a move, getting the deal sorted before the World Cup just makes sense.”
Even so, Nottingham Forest won’t be keen to let Anderson go. Since joining Newcastle in 2024, he’s become a vital part of their midfield. Forest supposedly set its price at £100 million, but their relegation fight could change things. Right now, Vitor Pereira’s squad sits 16th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. names and
FA CHARGES HARRY MAGUIRE FOR "IMPROPER BEHAVIOR" FOLLOWING COSTLY BOURNEMOUTH DISMISSAL
Michael Carrick’s side faces a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire is charged by the FA for improper conduct.
Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association over his conduct following the red card he received in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The defender was sent off after officials judged that he pulled back Evanilson inside the penalty area during their Premier League meeting last month. Maguire challenged the decision with both referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Matt Donohue once VAR confirmed the call.
That penalty allowed Junior Kroupi to score the equaliser, helping Bournemouth claw back a point against Michael Carrick’s side.
According to an FA statement, Maguire faces charges relating to improper behaviour and/or the use of abusive or insulting language towards the fourth official after his dismissal. He has until April 2 to respond to these allegations.
As things stand, Maguire is due to serve a one-match ban for the red card, which would rule him out of Manchester United's game against Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13. If his ban is extended following this charge, he could also miss the clash with Chelsea on April 18, an encounter that could be crucial, given United sit third and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for Champions League spots.
Earlier, Daily Mail Sport reported that Manchester United lodged a formal complaint with the PGMOL after the Bournemouth draw. The club were particularly frustrated over a denied second penalty, where Amad Diallo appeared to be brought down in the box while they led 1-0. Bournemouth then equalised through Ryan Christie in the ensuing play, and a VAR review did not overturn the decision, which may have swung momentum considerably.
Inside the United camp, there’s a sense that Maguire’s foul, which led to Bournemouth's second equaliser, mirrored the unpunished challenge on Diallo involving Adrien Truffert. That comparison fuels their belief that some decisions during the game didn’t go their way.
