Amorim focuses on positive as Manchester United come to terms with Bruno Fernandes injury after defeat at Aston Villa | OneFootball

Bruno was replaced at the break (Image: Getty Images)

Sunday evening proved a frustrating night for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who watched his side narrowly beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa while also losing captain Bruno Fernandes to injury.

United were unfortunate to come out on the losing side at Villa Park, having controlled large spells of the game against the Premier League’s in-form team despite widespread absentees. However, the apparent hamstring injury suffered by Fernandes was the leading subject at the post-match press conference, after the Seleção man was replaced at half time.

Villa’s Morgan Rodgers – one of the stars of the English top flight so far this season – scored two brilliantly-taken goals either side of Matheus Cunha’s equaliser, as the hosts made it 10 straight wins in all competitions, while United dropped to 7th place. Most observers felt United, who were without first-team regulars Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, warranted at least a draw from the occasion - a sentiment Amorim concurred with.

“I think we did really well, I think we were the better team today,” Amorim said, visibly frustrated with the result. “From the first minute of the game we were really consistent in the way we played and created chances. We defended well; we left one against one most of the time. We tried to recover the ball really fast. We played well but the feeling is that the frustration is still there. So we need to take the good things and prepare the next one.

“Sometimes you can suffer goals and defend well. Today we defended well. But when you press and they kick the ball, then the second ball is one against one, it’s really hard. Rodgers can go both sides. So it’s really hard to defend a player like that 1v1.

“We had some games where we allowed so many shots. Today was different. We tried to recover the ball really fast, we defend well, Ayden [Heaven] and Leny [Yoro] really young guys defended one v one most of the time. Luke Shaw the same. So I think we defended well.

“I look not just at whether you suffer goals, but the way you suffer goals. And today, if the first one he (Rodgers) did a very good job; the second one is a rebound where he has the advantage. So sometimes the details change the narrative. But we defended well.”

Fernandes, who has missed just two matches through injury since joining United almost six years ago, is reportedly facing a month on the sidelines. Being without their captain will be a new experience for the Red Devils, who face a tough match with Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

“I think he’s going to lose some games,” Amorim said. “I don’t know for sure, let’s see.

“Newcastle? We’ll see what we are going to do. I think Kobbie Mainoo is out, Bruno is out. We are going to find solutions. No excuses. We need to win the next game and we will try to win the next game.”