Manchester United fans were handed the injury update they never wanted on Monday evening as Ana Pinho, Bruno Fernandes' wife, posted a picture of him resting up in a brace with a protective boot by his side.
Fernandes returned to the starting line-up in Sunday's FA Cup win over Brighton, following suspension for the dismal Europa League defeat at Sevilla, but landed awkwardly on his ankle during the first half. The United midfielder battled it out for the full 90 minutes despite the pain, eventually being taken off by Erik ten Hag in extra-time.
Fernandes was out on the pitch celebrating with his teammates after Victor Lindelof's penalty booked their place in the final, but he looked a little uneasy. An assessment of his injury was due on Monday, but confirmation of his injury or the length of his absence is yet to surface.
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And so that picture is all Reds fans have to go with, and it doesn't look good. Fernandes has played 50 times across all competitions for United this season but there are now fears he could be absent for a crucial six-week run-in.
The 28-year-old has been crucial to Ten Hag's plans, both tactically and mentally, and his importance was only highlighted with his absence in Seville. It's telling that Marcus Rashford failed to land a shot on target for only the second time in his last 10 appearances that evening, and the Reds striker may be the one who misses Fernandes the most.
In the Premier League this season, no player has created more chances for a single teammate than Fernandes for Rashford. The latter has had 26 shots after being laid on by his midfield maestro, three more than second-placed Aleksandr Mitrovic from Andreas Pereira.
Fernandes has six assists in the league this season, five of which have been for Rashford. That is an incredible stat which typifies the relationship between the two, but it is also a worry that the same inventiveness is lacking elsewhere in the squad.
Rashford has fed off Fernandes' pinpoint passes in behind, able to use his pace to great effect against unbalanced back lines. And the 25-year-old has also so often been on the end of the more intricate moments close to the oppositions box. Long or short, they work together in unison.
Ten Hag will be asked about Fernandes during his press conference and the red half of United will wait with bated breath. But Rashford may be more concerned than most.
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