Manchester United injury update: Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim dealt major Bruno Fernandes injury blow ahead of key games after Christmas

Manchester United have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the busy festive period after Bruno Fernandes suffered an injury in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Kobbie Mainoo missed the Villa game after he joined Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire on the sidelines.

United face some big games after Christmas, as they play Newcastle and Wolves at Old Trafford before trips to Leeds and Burnley in the New Year.

Here’s all the latest Manchester United injury news and potential return dates...

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes pulled up towards the end of the first-half at Villa Park feeling his hamstring.

The United captain continued to the end of the first half but was substituted at half-time and was seen moving very slowly as he made his way the away dugout.

Amorim said Fernandes suffered a “soft tissue” issue and confirmed he would miss the Boxing Day game with Newcastle.

Fernandes is due to undergo scans to determine how long he will be sidelined.

Huge loss: Bruno Fernandes

Getty Images

"I don't what to talk about matters you can't control," said Amorim. "It's a soft tissue, I think he's going to lose some games, I don't know for sure. He is a guy who is always fit so he might recover quite well."

Fernandes is United's talisman and losing him for a spell would be a huge blow.

His United team-mate Diogo Dalot said: "It's massive. We don't know how bad it is but for him to come off, we know how tough he is."

Potential return date: Unknown

Kobbie Mainoo

United were dealt a blow before kick-off at Villa as Mainoo was ruled out.

The midfielder was in contention to start at Villa Park with Casemiro suspended but he sustained an injury in training on Saturday and was not in the squad.

Mainoo is likely to miss the Newcastle game and Amorim has suggested he will not play again in 2025.

"He got an injury in the last training," Amorim said. "After training, he went to the doctor. He got something in his calf.

Setback: Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United via Getty Imag

"Of course [it is bad timing], not just for the team but for him to have this problem. These are reminders that we need to focus on everything we can control and leave the rest to the destiny.

"He is going to be fine in the few weeks, I think, I don't know. Let's focus on the players that we have and are ready to play."

Potential return date: January 2026

Matthijs de Ligt

It is now four games since De Ligt last pulled on a United shirt.

The Dutchman was at the heart of the defence in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace at the end of November, but did not feature in the squad against West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

Amorim, initially, was confident that De Ligt would not be sidelined for too long, but it is now been nearly a month since the central defender was available for selection and it is not clear as to when he will be back.

Potential return date: Unknown

Harry Maguire

Maguire has been out of action longer than his fellow central defender as he has been absent since limping off in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham before the November international break.

United have since revealed Maguire and De Ligt are continuing their recovery from injury at Carrington, which suggests a comeback may not be too far away.