Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been ruled out of Portugal’s Nations League clash with Norway on Sunday.
The 32-year-old was substituted late on in in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon and manager Jorge Jesus has confirmed he will play no part in Oslo – and claimed he has played through pain in recent games for United.
‘In the game against Wales, we went in with all the available players but Bruno Fernandes came off with a complicated problem,’ said Jesus.
Jesus added: ‘He said he’s been dealing with that pain for about three games, and that was one of the factors that prevented him from being at his usual level against Wales.
‘He was my player, I know him perfectly. I’ve already spoken to him. I prefer not to risk him in this game and have him clean and in good physical condition for the Denmark game (in Copenhagen on Thursday).’
His absence means the midfielder will be denied a second clash with Erling Haaland this month, having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford which saw the Norway striker score the only goal.
Bruno Fernandes featured in the 1-0 win against Wales but was forced off late on
Fernandes has played 90 minutes in all five of United Premier League matches so far this season, as well as the entirety of their 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah.
He was also brought off the bench in an attempt to rescue his side after they blew a two-goal lead at home to Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
United return to action on Saturday October 10, at home to Tottenham. They have endured a frustrated start to the season under Michael Carrick with their sole Premier League win coming against Ipswich – in which they needed a Fernandes hat-trick to secure a 5-2 victory.
