Bruno Fernandes injured on international duty

Bruno Fernandes has become a staple of Manchester United’s efforts in the Premier League whilst producing a similar affect for Portugal.

The 31-year-old’s abilities have already been on show this season with him scoring a hat-trick against Ipswich Town as United came from behind to secure their first win of the season.

Further efforts as captain of the team have helped to push the side further forward, and earned him a spot in Portugal’s squad for four Nations League fixtures during the international break.

Having played in the nation’s first Nations League game of the season against Wales, where Portugal picked up maximum points with a 1-0 victory, focus had been turned towards today’s game against Norway.

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has confirmed that his side will have to do without Fernandes for that game, however, with him picking up a slight injury.

Speaking to the media before the fixture, Jesus said: “While in the game against Wales we came into it with practically all the players who were physically available, we came out of the Wales game with a complicated issue involving Bruno Fernandes. We’ll see what happens by tomorrow.

“And from my experience as a coach, and physiologically, I’m also certain that on the third day not all players manage to recover.

“The medical team identified those two [Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes] players as the ones of greatest concern. One of them could be used in the game, and that’s Nuno Mendes.

“The other depends on the treatment and on today’s treatment, up until tomorrow, and on how many hours Bruno has to recover – or whether he can recover.

“Bruno comes with an injury from… from the night before. He already came with it. He’s been playing with pain.

“I prefer not to take any risks with Bruno Fernandes in this match and to be able to count on him in Denmark.”

Manchester United’s captain has been one of their most consistent players since arriving at the club in 2020, making over 40 appearances in all but one full season he has been with the club.

That consistency has translated across to the Portuguese team, too, with him playing at each of the nation’s last four international tournaments.

Whilst an injury to Bruno Fernandes is not good, for either Manchester United or Portugal, the good news is that it is not a major injury.

Just under two weeks now remain under United return to action against Tottenham Hotspur, whilst Portugal still have two further games after their fixture against Norway today, and it appears that Fernandes will likely be back for those fixtures.

For now, it is about setting the correct preparations in case he does not return from international duty fit to play. The probability of that possibility happening is arguably pretty low, though.