Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth got here with the added kicker of Bruno Fernandes being handed a one-game Premier League ban for yellow card accumulation.
The membership captain couldn’t cease himself choosing up a fifth league reserving of the season within the 84th minute of the embarrassing loss, with referee Peter Bankes handing the Portugal worldwide a reserving for dissent.
It means Fernandes will sit out United’s journey to Liverpool subsequent Sunday, when they are going to hope to keep away from a 3rd successive thrashing at Anfield having been overwhelmed 7-0 and 4-0 of their two most up-to-date journeys.
Man Utd final gained a league sport at Liverpool’s well-known residence floor in 2016, when Wayne Rooney scored the one aim of the match within the 78th minute. They’ve misplaced 4 of their final seven away video games towards the Reds, choosing up three goalless attracts however scoring simply as soon as in whole.
Fernandes’ absence can be one other headache for Ten Hag, who has already needed to contort his squad into each form potential as a result of a mass of accidents thus far this marketing campaign. Nonetheless, the Crimson Devils first have an enormous sport within the Champions League to navigate.
Fernandes is free to play within the Champions League on Tuesday night time as Man Utd try to leap from fourth to second in Group A.
They face an already certified Bayern Munich outfit that suffered a shock 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. The German giants could also be susceptible and Thomas Tuchel might look to relaxation a few of his stars, however United’s destiny stays within the palms of others as they want the fixture between Copenhagen and Galatasaray to additionally finish in a draw for them to have any hope of reaching the final 16.
Fernandes has chipped in with two targets and two assists in 5 group stage video games thus far and extra contributions within the closing third can be wanted in midweek if United are to proceed enjoying in Europe’s elite membership competitors.
Fernandes has not all the time obtained rave opinions throughout Man Utd’s journeys to Liverpool and Anfield since he moved to England in 2020. Gary Neville actually wasn’t impressed through the 7-0 thrashing earlier in 2023.
He advised Sky Sports activities: “That first 40 minutes was what I might name a basic away efficiency at Anfield. Manchester United weathered the storm and it appeared like they have been going to get that aim and go forward at half-time.
“The second-half has been an absolute shame, a shambles. They haven’t been epitomised greater than Bruno Fernandes, who has been embarrassing – a shambles – on this sport.”
The Portugal worldwide’s suspension may very well be seen as a plus in that regard, given he was seen feigning damage, interesting for unlikely penalties, appearing petulantly with officers and asking to be substituted throughout that heavy defeat.
Man Utd potential entrance 4 lineups vs Liverpool
(4-2-3-1): Mainoo, Amrabat; Antony, McTominay, Garnacho; Hojlund
(4-2-3-1): Amrabat, McTominay; Antony, Martial, Garnacho; Hojlund
(4-2-3-1): Amrabat, McTominay; Rashford, Martial, Garnacho; Hojlund
When it comes to a direct substitute towards Liverpool, Ten Hag remains to be with out pure various Christian Eriksen as a result of damage and Donny van de Beek shouldn’t be threatening to interrupt into the beginning XI any time quickly. Scott McTominay may very well be deployed behind a central striker given his goalscoring exploits thus far this season, although Ten Hag might additionally supply up one other begin to Martial regardless of the Frenchman’s clear decline in high quality in recent times.
Kobbie Mainoo and Sofyan Amrabat may very well be deployed because the workhorses to try to disrupt a vigorous Liverpool aspect, although the Reds haven’t appeared solely convincing in wins over Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace. Whether or not Man Utd may have sufficient spirit and willpower of their play to succeed at Anfield with out their captain, nonetheless, is one other factor solely.
