Bruno Fernandes has failed to play in just 13 Manchester United matches since his arrival in January 2020 and none of those absences matches have been because of injury.
That could change today with Erik ten Hag revealing that his captain is a doubt for the FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest as the club strives for their only chance of silverware this season.
Fernandes has only sat out two games this season, having missed the goalless draw at Liverpool due to suspension and staying on the bench for the League Cup win over Crystal Palace. His constant presence in the side has been invaluable to United.
The Portugal star, who seemed to pick up an issue towards the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham, has always been averse to losing game time, previously noting that fitness is not always guaranteed the older a player gets.
Fernandes turns 30 this year and his longevity at United will naturally start to be debated. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been backed to offload Casemiro, 32, and Raphael Varane, 30, this summer with their stock value diminishing.
Tentative Saudi links have emerged for Fernandes, albeit there is no inkling that he would relinquish his status at Old Trafford for a switch to the Middle East. Ratcliffe would make sure that didn’t happen.
But he may need to start thinking about life after Fernandes in his long-term planning. United already have a trio of exciting line-up regulars in Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, but more future-proofing is required.
That includes in the central attacking role with limited alternate options in that area, currently. Christian Eriksen is 32 while Frankfurt-loaned Donny van de Beek, surely set to leave in the summer, is not up to scratch.
This season, Scott McTominay is the most deserving candidate to be the back-up to Fernandes in that role but he is hardly the long-term answer. Mainoo has the ability to play there but he is more needed deeper.
The transfer task of finding an eventual successor is not an immediate one and need not be a consideration for this summer. However, it will be something the new recruitment regime will be looking at in their long-term plans.
Dan Ashworth – currently on gardening leave from Newcastle United amid his exit request ahead of United sporting director talks – is known for his extensive data-led scouting model and you can be sure every position will be covered should he roll up to the Theatre of Dreams.
Such is Fernandes’ perfect injury record that any reinforcement talk will be down the list of priorities but United do need to clarify back-up options. United are not the same side when Fernandes is absent, which is a worry Ratcliffe will be eager to address.
A talismanic figure, a future leader – Fernandes afford United to be picky and find an eventual successor rather than a temporary stop-gap filler.
This is a consideration for later, not for now, but the uncertainty over alternate attacking midfield options highlights that there is a shortfall that needs to be rectified at some stage.
