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Manchester United’s trip to Liverpool next weekend was always going to be tough but the absence of Bruno Fernandes will only increase scepticism among supporters.
Fernandes will serve a one-game suspension for the Premier League trip to Anfield, where they lost 7-0 last season. The United captain picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth after saying a little too much to referee Peter Banks.
The absence of Fernandes will only make a tough trip even more difficult and United did not cope well without their captain in this instance last season. The Portuguese midfielder had five yellow cards by the start of November last term and was absent for a trip to Aston Villa in what was Unai Emery’s first game in charge.
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“Yes, until now, Bruno is so important for us,” Ten Hag told United’s club website before that game. “In every match, he plays really good.
“I also think [against Real Sociedad] he played from the right, he had an effect there as well. You see, for example, with the goal and also with other actions.
“As a number 10, he is betting some smart games and we have to upgrade him, he is the team. So you want a team, it’s not about 11 players, you want a team to win in a season and now we have to upgrade him and will.
Donny van de Beek was deployed as No. 10 on a somber afternoon at Villa Park, as goals from Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey secured a 3-1 home win. The Dutchman is unlikely to do so again, having played just 23 minutes of competitive football so far this season.
Ten Hag would arguably be keen to cement things with more power in midfield, which could push United’s top risk Scott McTominay forward and leave out Kobbie Mainoo along with Sofyan Amrabat. This week will mark the month since Christian Eriksen suffered a knee injury against Luton Town, and the Danish outside would be Fernandes’ direct replacement in terms of creativity.