The United captain picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat to Villa. He was so injured he had to be taken off at halftime which isn't something I've ever seen. Bro really has been a machine throughout his career that this is the shock of all shocks 🤯.
More news has come out regarding the extent of this injury as he could miss the Manchester Derby in mid-January. That is a long time without him and after the comments made by manager Ruben Amorim that the problem could be soft tissue damage, it shouldn't be entirely unsurprising that he is out for over a month.
Even still, this is still unexpected.
However, as per the title, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing.
Bruno has been played out of position all season. We all know this, Bruno himself has sort of hinted at it by saying he is more of a risk-taker and won't change despite that not actually being a part of a midfielder's job, yet the manager seems hellbent on keeping his captain in that central position.
Because of this, we don't get the best out of him and oftentimes, he is well, shit.
Yes he still gets the goals and assists but majority of them come from set-pieces. 5 of his assists have come from corners or free-kicks. He could do this from any starting position.
This is why I believe with someone like Martinez, the midfield could work especially if he has a player like Casemiro next to him.
Where Bruno could be missed is in the quality of his delivery from those set-pieces as they have been on point.
But all of this means that others have the chance to step up and show us that we don't need the captain, that we can rely on them otherwise what's the point in having a squad?
People don't like me saying that it could work with Martinez in midfield over Bruno but seem to not understand that as a no 8, he just doesn't work. As a no 10, I can have no complaints.
What are your thoughts on this and Bruno being out for a month?
Bruno Fernandes is reportedly out for a month with a hamstring injury | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal