Manchester United beat Spurs at Old Trafford on Saturday but Rangnick’s side picked up the win without their main playmaker Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese international was a shock absentee for this intense match and it was Athletic who first broke the news that the playmaker is going to miss out due to an illness.
Then, ahead of the match, the Man United manager confirmed this report and also added that Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for their key Champions League clash in midweek as well.
Rangnick confirmed: “Bruno is ill, unfortunately. He couldn’t train yesterday and is therefore not available for the game. Hopefully, he will be back for Tuesday but, today, he is out.”
Bruno Fernandes is out of Manchester United’s squad against Tottenham due to illness.
He is also a doubt for their Champions League match vs. Atlético on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/xVBwc0EbT2
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 12, 2022
Man United managed to get past Spurs thanks to a hat-trick by Cristiano Ronaldo so Fernandes’ absence was not particularly missed but if the No 10 is missing against Atletico Madrid then United could be in major trouble.
Will Bruno Fernandes miss out against Atletico Madrid?
As per the reports, the playmaker has tested positive meaning he is surely going to be absent for the Champions League clash as well.
Paul Pogba played as the No 10 vs Spurs but the Frenchman was really poor, putting out a performance worth 6.6 out of 10. If Bruno Fernandes is absent then Pogba will have to play in that role once again and this will be a big cause of concern for Ralf Rangnick.
𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 🔥 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭! 🔴 #𝐌𝐔𝐅𝐂 pic.twitter.com/gUl4NeusH6
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) March 12, 2022
Pogba continuously kept losing possession on Saturday and if he does the same against Atletico then there’s no denying that Simeone’s side is going to punish Man United badly.
The Frenchman is clearly not fit to replace Bruno Fernandes in that role but since Donny van de Beek has left for Everton, Rangnick has no other option but to stick with Pogba.
The only possible alternative will be a change in system but with the tie balanced at 1-1, we doubt if the interim manager will want to take such risks. Also, apart from Bruno, Pogba is the only other creative midfielder in the side so if the Frenchman is kept out then Manchester United will have to play a totally defensive game against the Spanish side.
