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Manchester United are currently evaluating the severity of the injury picked up by captain Bruno Fernandes during the loss at Aston Villa.

Manager Ruben Amorim believes the playmaker is set for a period on the treatment table but will be praying the issue is not too serious. Fernandes felt a twinge at the end of the first half, grabbing his thigh, before playing on and then coming off at the interval.

Any absence would be particularly notable given the Portuguese playmaker's extraordinary availability record since arriving from Sporting in January 2020.

From his debut in a 0-0 stalemate against Wolves to the Villa loss, United have played 221 Premier League games – Fernandes has played in 212 of them, starting 208 times.

Of the nine matches he has missed, two were for rest ahead of key European fixtures, four were due to a ban, and just three were a result of injury or illness.

His longest absence was two consecutive games at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but he still returned in time for the FA Cup final.

The concerning statistic for Amorim is that United have been defeated in the last four league games Fernandes has missed and five of the last six.

While the length of time of his absence remains unclear, here are United's next seven fixtures:

• 26 December v Newcastle (Home)
• 30 December v Wolves (Home)
• 4 January v Leeds (Away)
• 7 January v Burnley (Away)
• 11 January v Brighton (Home) – FA Cup third round
• 17 January v Manchester City (Home)
• 25 January v Arsenal (Away)

So, what are Amorim's options if his talisman is unavailable?

Kobbie Mainoo

Amorim has stated all season that Mainoo is in a straight fight with Fernandes due to their comparable playing styles. In theory, this is the youngster's opportunity to prove his manager he merits more minutes.

However, Amorim said Mainoo missed the Villa defeat with a calf issue and is doubtful to be fit to face Newcastle. He did not specify how long the midfielder will be sidelined.

Ugarte or Martinez

Assuming veteran midfielder Casemiro returns from suspension against Newcastle, Manuel Ugarte could line up alongside him. However, the pair have tended to compete for the same position.

A concerning statistic is that United have not won any of the last nine league games Ugarte has started.

Lisandro Martinez, primarily a defender, replaced Fernandes at half-time at Villa Park. Amorim has previously said he would only consider Martinez in midfield "as a last resort," a description this situation may fit.

Neither Ugarte nor Martinez, however, possess the creative qualities that Fernandes provides.

The Versatile Mount

When Mount arrived, it was felt he could play as a number eight. He can provide creativity, and playing him alongside Casemiro could allow Joshua Zirkzee to feature as a number 10.

Amorim sees Mount as more effective in the number 10 role but, as with Martinez, circumstances may force his hand. The English man is also flexible, having played at wing-back, and is in fine scoring form, having found the net recently.

Jack Fletcher

Fletcher made his debut at Villa Park and has the qualities – energy and a good passing range – that Amorim needs.

However, it would be asking a lot to introduce the 18-year-old into a Premier League cauldron from the beginning.

Tactical Look: Fernandes Injury May Force Amorim to Tweak System

Since his arrival, Amorim has stuck to a specific 3-2-4-1 formation, rarely straying away from his footballing ideas.

He opts for a formation that does not rely on having the ball. His midfield duo, typically Casemiro and Fernandes, have particular tasks: Casemiro screens the defence, while Fernandes is given freedom to contribute in attack while also working hard defensively.

The other midfield candidates must fit into these roles. Ugarte is the likely replacement for Casemiro, while Mount, Martinez, and Mainoo have some of the qualities to do Fernandes' job.

The challenges of injuries could lead Amorim to adjust his system, perhaps moving to a back four with three in midfield – a setup that might benefit a player like Mainoo more.

"Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two," Amorim has said. "But with three, Kobbie will have more minutes."