Manchester United’s misery deepened on Sunday evening as they fell 2-1 to Aston Villa in a Premier League clash at Villa Park. The defeat was made even more painful by the injury sustained by captain Bruno Fernandes, who was forced off in the first half.
Villa came out of the blocks with impressive intensity, and Morgan Rogers’ two well-taken goals proved decisive. United’s lone reply came through Matheus Cunha, who found the net to reduce the deficit but could not prevent the home side from continuing their recent league dominance. This victory was Aston Villa’s seventh successive league win, a feat they have not achieved since 1990, and their tenth straight triumph in all competitions.
Fernandes appeared in considerable discomfort late in the first half, clutching his thigh after an apparent hamstring issue. Despite remaining on the field until the interval, he did not return for the second half, leaving United short in midfield. Ruben Amorim, United’s head coach, acknowledged the setback: “It seems like a soft tissue injury. He may be out for several days. Bruno is typically very fit, so we hope for a quick recovery.”
United’s injury problems are mounting at a time when squad rotation is already necessary due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Brian Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui are absent, while Mathias de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain sidelined. Kobi Maimu also missed the Villa clash following a last-minute thigh strain in training.
The team’s depleted roster forced Amorim to debut two teenagers, 18-year-olds Jack Fletcher and Shea Leskie, highlighting United’s reliance on youth during this injury crisis. The game underscored the difficulties facing the club as they attempt to compete against top-flight opposition with an increasingly thin squad.
The Red Devils now turn their attention to Boxing Day, when they face Newcastle United. Should Fernandes be ruled out again, it would mark the third occasion since 2020 that the midfielder has missed games due to injury, a troubling pattern for the club and fans alike.
In the league, Aston Villa’s 36 points from 17 matches place them in third, just behind Manchester City, who have 37 points, and league leaders Arsenal, with 39. Manchester United’s 26 points leave them in seventh place, demonstrating the urgency with which they must address both injury setbacks and inconsistent performances if they hope to reclaim a top-four spot.