Manchester United injury update: Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim will be desperate to have captain back as Manchester City and Arsenal clashes loom large

Manchester United are battling plenty of injury problems after a hectic festive fixture schedule.

The Red Devils had an eventful finish to 2025 as their remarkable eight-goal thriller against Bournemouth was followed by defeat to Aston Villa, a win over Newcastle and hugely disappointing home draw with rock-bottom Wolves.

Another stalemate followed to kick off the New Year against rivals Leeds, with Matheus Cunha on target at Elland Road to rescue a point after Brenden Aaronson’s opener.

Amorim can surely have no excuses when United - now dropped to sixth and below managerless Chelsea on goal difference - visit Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night, with Scott Parker’s Clarets sitting 19th and six points adrift of safety after a 2-0 defeat at Brighton extended their winless top-flight run to 11 matches.

Brighton head to Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round at the weekend, before United host City in the Manchester derby and also go to leaders Arsenal in consecutive high-profile games to close out another busy month.

Here is all the latest Manchester United injury news and return dates, with the trio of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo still all away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Bruno Fernandes

United have been without their influential captain since the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa before Christmas, when he was substituted at half-time with a hamstring problem.

Amorim initially said that Bruno Fernandes would be out for “a while” with the soft tissue injury, but did not put an exact timeframe on his return.

The Portuguese has now missed the last three matches, having not recovered in time for the clash with Leeds.

Huge miss: Fernandes has not played for Manchester United since before Christmas

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However, Amorim hinted after the draw in Yorkshire that Fernandes was closing in on a return to fitness - though it remains to be seen if he will be in a position to play against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Asked if United’s January transfer plans may have to change as a result of their injuries, Amorim told TNT Sports: “Just focus on the game and let’s prepare with the players that we have.

“I expect to have some minutes for Bruno and Mason Mount maybe, so we will see. They are players who are ready to help us.”

Potential return date: Wednesday January 7, vs Burnley (A) or Sunday January 11, vs Brighton (H)

Mason Mount

Mount last featured in the narrow home win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, making way at the interval due to injury.

Amorim said that the ex-Chelsea midfielder had “felt something” to necessitate his withdrawal, believing the unspecified knock to only be a “small” issue.

Mount played no part against Wolves or Leeds, though his manager’s aforementioned answer following events at Elland Road would appear to suggest that, like Fernandes, he is also on track to return soon.

Potential return date: Wednesday January 7, vs Burnley (A) or Sunday January 11, vs Brighton (H)

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo has been used very sparingly by Amorim so far this season, a decision that has remained a hot topic of conversation - not least after his brother, the former Love Island contestant Jordan Mainoo-Hames, wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt to Old Trafford for the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth last month.

But Amorim could not have picked the England midfielder of late even if he had wanted to, due to a calf injury suffered in training before the defeat at Aston Villa - where he might have been an option to start with Casemiro suspended.

Frustrating season: Kobbie Mainoo has not started a single Premier League game so far this term

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Mainoo has not been involved since and, like the rest of United’s injured cohort, was not expected to be back for the trip to Leeds.

However, Amorim’s pre-Leeds press conference quote that they still had one more training session to go ahead of that game before making final decisions suggests they may have a few players close to being available again.

Potential return date: Wednesday January 7, vs Burnley (A) or Sunday January 11, vs Brighton (H)

Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt has been battling a back problem and last played in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on November 30. Hopes over a swift return were quickly scuppered and United have since turned to teenager Ayden Heaven in defence.

Amorim said last week that De Ligt was “struggling a little bit” and he played no part at all during the festive period.

It is hard to predict exactly when the Dutchman may return, though it seems likely at this stage until we get a more positive update that the trip to Burnley will come too soon.

Potential return date: Unknown

Harry Maguire

The absence of De Ligt has been compounded by that of Harry Maguire, who is closing in on two months since his last appearance in the dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham on November 8.

The 32-year-old sustained a hamstring issue in that game in north London and was substituted with just under 20 minutes to play.

Like De Ligt, Amorim said last week that Maguire was not ready to return, with no further update issued since then, making it hard to say definitively when he might play again.