 "Bruno Fernandes' fitness and form will be a major source of concern for Ruben Amorim heading into Manchester United's upcoming Premier League showdown against Liverpool. Reuters")
Ruben Amorim’s job will be on the line again when Manchester United face defending champions Liverpool this weekend as the Premier League returns to action after the international break. Amorim, whose team finished 15th last season and failed to qualify for European football as a result, had got some breathing space after the ‘Red Devils’ defeated Sunderland 2-0 at home on 4 October .
The 20-time English top-flight champions find themselves at the 10th spot on the Premier League table thanks to their victory over the Black Cats – their third in their last five league outings, with United also beating Burnley (3-2) and Chelsea (2-1) at home during this period.
The upcoming meeting against Liverpool, who are going through a lean phase themselves after suffering a hat-trick of defeats across competitions, could be make-or-break as far as Amorim’s chances of leading United for the remainder of the 2025-26 season are concerned.
And ahead of the high-profile showdown at Anfield on Sunday, the Portuguese manager has some concerns regarding his key players that will need addressing.
Can Fernandes deliver his best at Anfield?
Star midfielder Bruno Fernandes was nowhere close to his best during Portugal’s FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Hungary in Lisbon on Tuesday, which ended in a 2-2 draw after the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo fired a brace to add another record to his collection.
Not only did the United captain pick up a booking that will rule him out of Portugal’s next qualifying fixture, he also looked fatigued during the match, which certainly isn’t a good sign for Amorim.
Fernandes isn’t the only midfielder United will be worried about as Brazil’s Casemiro arrives in the UK after travelling across the world for Brazil’s recent friendly fixtures – against South Korea and Japan, both games in their backyard.
With the former Real Madrid star having remained on the field for the entirety of those two matches, it remains to be seen if he recovers in time for Sunday’s blockbuster clash.
Amorim also needs to take a call on whether to have Mason Mount starting on the left instead of summer signing Matheus Cunha, although that decision will depend on whether the ex-Chelsea midfielder is able to stay fit over the weekend.
Will Amorim throw Lammens in at the deep end?
Last, but certainly not the last, United will also have to take a call on Senne Lammens – whom they had signed on deadline day in the summer transfer window. The Belgian keeper was impressive on debut as he kept a clean sheet against Sunderland.
However, facing Liverpool at Anfield, that too when they are the defending champions, is a challenge on a whole new level, and it remains to be seen if Amorim throws the 23-year-old in at the deep end in just his second appearance for the Red Devils, or brings Altay Bayindir back between the sticks just for that fixture.