Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that he was forced to pull Bruno Fernandes out of the starting side against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon "in the last moment".
Fernandes was absent for Monday's 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in the Premier League due to an unspecified issue, but he returned to training towards the end of last week and was expected to be in the Red Devils XI against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Portugal international was again a notable absentee, though, with Ten Hag saying ahead of the match that the club captain was unable to recover from the injury which also kept him out against Palace.
Marcus Rashford was also back in training last week after missing three straight league games against Sheffield United, Burnley and Palace due to the problem he picked up in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City.
The Englishman was also missing against Arsenal, though, with Amad Diallo instead given an opportunity to impress from the first whistle.
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Fernandes, Rashford were again missing against Arsenal
"In the last moment Bruno Fernandes could not make it so we brought Amad [Diallo] into the team. The last days Bruno trained, but he didn't make it yesterday. [He] was not far enough to recover from his injury," Ten Hag told Sky Sports News ahead of the clash at Old Trafford.
"The last days we trained with Rashy (Marcus Rashford). Bruno trained for two days, but he was not far enough to recover from his injuries."
Amad was substituted in the 70th minute of Man United's 1-0 loss to Arsenal, and he said on social media after the match that he was struggling with a knee problem that he picked up in the first period.
"The knee to knee in the first half bothered me in the second half. Otherwise I'm fine," he posted on X.
Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount were also missing for the Red Devils.
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Ten Hag says fans understand the team's problems
Willy Kambwala did make his return from injury off the bench at Old Trafford, though, and Man United were again well-supported by their fans despite another disappointing result.
Ten Hag said after the match that the supporters understand why the team are having difficulties.
"I think the fans understand where we are, where this club is. We have so many injuries and especially in key areas and they don't get what they deserve, the fans, but they understand this and that's why I think they are behind the team," he told reporters.
"They see most of the time a team that was fighting for each other but has the right spirit, and I think that's why they are with us. We are united. We are. We have a strong bond and hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Man United will take on Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion in their final two league games of the season before facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25.
Matt Law
