Bruno Fernandes is the engine in Manchester United’s midfield and his absence next weekend would come as a boost for Liverpool.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could miss his side’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford next weekend.
The playmaker has been United’s talisman throughout a dogged campaign, tallying the most goal contributions for the side this season with eight goals and nine assists. None of these have come against Liverpool, though.
He played the full 120 minutes against Liverpool in the 4-3 FA Cup clash prior to the international break, ending the game hobbling at centre-back. He has been given an extra period of rest after being sent home from Portugal duty after scoring against Sweden last Friday.
The last time Fernandes played Liverpool in the Premier League was that famous 7-0 drubbing last year. He was suspended for the goalless draw at Anfield in December due to yellow card accumulation, and he risks missing the game at Old Trafford for the same reason.
Fernandes is on eight bookings in the league, and a further two will see him barred from playing against Jurgen Klopp’s side on April 7.
United face Brentford on Saturday before a midweek clash with Chelsea. Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez faces the same tightrope for Liverpool, having gone into the notebook four times in his last seven league outings.
The threshold for a ban stands at five yellow cards inside a club’s first 19 league games before extending to 10 up until matchweek 32 – four games away – by which time the length of the ban stands at two matches.
If Wataru Endo picks up three yellow cards in Liverpool’s next four matches, he too will be banned for two games. Suspensions at this stage of the season can be significant amid the club’s run-in period.
