Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for Portugal’s Nations League match against Norway after coach Jorge Jesus said the Manchester United captain had been playing through pain for several games.
Speaking Saturday before the game in Oslo, Jesus said Fernandes had arrived from United with an injury and told him the problem had affected his previous three matches. The coach would prefer to rest the midfielder Sunday so he could recover for Thursday’s meeting with Denmark.
Fernandes missed Portugal’s final training session before the Norway game, Metro reported. Jesus did not identify the injury or announce a recovery timetable for his return to Manchester United.
The midfielder started Thursday’s 1–0 victory over Wales in Lisbon and was replaced by João Neves in the 90th minute. Jesus said the physical problem had contributed to a performance below Fernandes’ usual level.
“I prefer not to risk it in this game,” Jesus said, according to Metro’s account of the press conference.
Portuguese outlet Bola na Rede also reported the coach’s explanation that Fernandes required treatment and time to recover. Jesus distinguished his situation from that of Nuno Mendes, whom he said could be used against Norway.
A Bola separately reported Jesus raising concern about Fernandes in an interview with Sport TV. The coach said the midfielder had played against Wales with a problem brought from United and that his availability for the next fixture still needed to be assessed.
Fernandes had operated from a wider starting position against Wales, with João Félix playing centrally and scoring the only goal. Afterward, the United captain said his role involved moving inside to link play and support the forwards, as well as tracking back on the flank.
After the Wales game, Jesus said Fernandes could have contributed more with the ball, the Manchester Evening News reported. On Saturday, the coach said the injury had restricted him and explained why he was reluctant to ask him to play again so soon.
Portugal faces Norway in Oslo on Sunday, September 27, before meeting Denmark on October 1. Jesus has left Fernandes’ selection dependent on treatment and recovery, while making clear that he would rather avoid aggravating the problem.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with Metro: Saturday fitness update.
Read at Metro: Saturday fitness update
