Fernandes injury 'sign to address midfield problem' in January

These are uncharted waters for Manchester United. It most certainly is not a Merry Christmas.

The sight of Bruno Fernandes pulling up with a hamstring problem feels as incomprehensible as it does terrifying.

This is a player who has been available for all but three matches since his 2020 arrival. Even more notably, this is somone who has contributed 196 goal involvements in 308 appearances.

Ruben Amorim's suggestion of a "soft tissue" issue after the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa has sparked fears that Fernandes could be absent for months.

So, United's priority in January? Everyone knows the desperate need for midfield reinforcements, even if the fallen captain was fit. Fernandes's injury is a sign to address the problem.

Casemiro is set to leave as a free agent next summer. Kobbie Mainoo's future is uncertain, and his ill-timed calf problem sums up his poor fortunes. Mediocre Manuel Ugarte needs a miracle to turn his United career around.

While the reluctance to recruit short-term fixes with the wider project in mind is fair, there must be alternative options on the shortlist than big-money targets like Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

Amorim must lock heads with Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell, find a midfield market opportunity and take it.

That said, United's most likely January signing appears to be Antoine Semenyo. The £65m deal makes sense if Roma are successful in their hunt for Joshua Zirkzee, a transfer which the Red Devils should sanction.

Goals are no longer this team's biggest issue, but considering the transition style that United thrive in, switching Zirkzee for Semenyo would be a big upgrade.

Incomings should be the focus. Amorim can't trim his squad further without acquiring replacements. Semenyo and a new midfielder would offer hope for an improved second half of the season.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC