Bruno Fernandes appears on course for an immediate return to the Portugal lineup, thus handing Manchester United a fitness boost in the process.
The Man United captain missed Portugal’s Nations League clash against Norway at the weekend, with Jorge Jesus revealing a hip issue had been causing the midfielder some complications since the start of the season.
“The other case [Fernandes] involves treatment and recovery time,” Jesus said during a press conference. He’s coming off an injury at United, and he told me he’s been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him.
“It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales.”
Fernandes, ultimately, was left out of the matchday squad in Oslo as goals from Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos secured an impressive win, opening up a three-point lead at the top of League A, G4.
However, judging by Fernandes’ Instagram stories, it seems he is set to be available for selection once again after uploading an image hyping up Portugal’s clash against Denmark on Thursday evening.
If Fernandes does feature in Copenhagen, he will not face Man Utd team-mate Patrick Dorgu after the 21-year-old was forced off on the half hour mark against Wales last weekend and has subsequently returned to Carrington for treatment.
“He has an injury and has to go home. A new one has to be called in,” Denmark head coach Brian Riemer told broadcaster TV2 after the game.
Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both withdrew from the England squad last week, joining the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Amad Diallo, Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton on the sidelines.
Matthijs de Ligt has yet to return from a long-term back injury, while Karl Darlow was among the withdrawals from Craig Bellamy’s latest Wales squad.
