Peter Schmeichel says Man Utd have ‘massive problem’ after Aston Villa defeat | Football

Peter Schmeichel says Manchester United have a ‘massive problem’ after their ‘leader’ and ‘best performer’ Bruno Fernandes was forced off with an injury in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Fernandes made his 17th straight start of the Premier League campaign but had to be taken off at the break, with Lisandro Martinez introduced in his place for the second period.

Though the Portugal international attempted to play through the pain after first experiencing discomfort in his right leg, it was clear he could not continue and Ruben Amorim expects to be without his fellow countryman for ‘a while’.

While the true nature and severity of Fernandes’ muscle problem is yet to be confirmed, Amorim felt confident enough to rule the midfielder out of United’s next clash with Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Fernandes has enjoyed a remarkable track record with his fitness since arriving in English football back in 2020, missing just 17 of the 325 games that United have played in that time.

But his setback means the Red Devils are currently without eight first-team players, including Kobbie Mainoo, who went down with a calf issue before the trip to Villa Park.

Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are among those unavailable to Amorim during the club’s hectic winter schedule after jetting off to represent their respective countries at the Africa Cup of Nations.

‘That’s a problem for Manchester United. It is a problem, it’s a massive problem because he is the leader of the team, he’s the captain of the team,’ legendary ex-United goalkeeper Schmeichel said on Viaplay of Fernandes’ injury.

‘We don’t see the best of him because he plays in a position that is not his prime position, if you like. He’s a better No.10 but the system doesn’t really have that position for him.

‘They need him back there, he’s one of them that can help all the players around him.

‘Without a shadow of a doubt, he’s been the best performer for Manchester United in the last many years.’

Turning his attention to the game itself, Schmeichel accused Leny Yoro of ‘reacting instead of anticipating’ after the defender was caught out for both of Morgan Rogers’ goals.

The Dane also questioned whether Amorim has the players at his disposal to suit the system he intends to play.

‘I don’t think they completely understand what their roles are in this system,’ Schmeichel said of United, who sit seventh in the Premier League table.

‘Conceding one goal in that manner, well, you’d think you never concede again. But you do.

‘So it’s a lot of things: focussing on their job, concentration and then, for some players, and I don’t want to be too negative because some of them are really young and need to learn, also their defensive instincts.

‘The ball can come back to that area where they were. You saw Leny Yoro waiting and realising, “Oh, it’s coming back!”, so he had to react instead of anticipate.

‘It’s a lot of things but, deep, deep down, the system doesn’t fit the players that Ruben Amorim has, the back four is not protected by a really good, solid midfield and then it’s the understanding.’

Schmeichel, who represented both United and Villa during his illustrious playing career, picked out Rogers for special praise after the midfielder’s stunning double in the match.

According to Schmeichel, Rogers’ meteoric rise can be put down to the player’s drive and determination to ‘become better and better’.

‘I like the fact that Rogers said: “He [Emery] very harsh on me, sometimes a little bit too much in front of the group, but I understand why and it’s for the benefit of me and the team”,’ the 1999 treble winner said.

‘You don’t hear that a lot from young players today and I think understanding that is part of why he is all of a sudden this incredible player.

‘That never dawns for a lot of players, it never happens, because they probably feel insulted or not appreciated.

‘This guy seems to be somebody who is taking it in his stride and just working hard to become better and better.’

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