Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been ruled out of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against Norway due to a hip injury, handing an immediate fitness scare to both his national team and Manchester Evening News reported. The 32-year-old captain is currently with the Portugal squad for their extended international break fixtures, but manager Jorge Jesus opted against risking him in Oslo after the player carried the physical problem through several club fixtures.
Fernandes started Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales on Thursday evening in Lisbon, featuring until he was replaced by Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves as the match entered stoppage time, according to the Evening Standard. While he wanted to push through the discomfort, his performance levels dipped, prompting the coaching staff to reassess his availability.
National Team Management Weighs the Risks
Speaking ahead of the Norway encounter, Portugal boss Jorge Jesus described the condition as a complicated problem that required careful treatment and recovery time rather than immediate action. According to Goal, Jesus revealed that Fernandes had been managing the pain for approximately three matches prior to joining up with the national setup.
“He played with an injury he brought from Manchester United. He really wanted to play against Wales,” Jesus said, noting that he knows the player well from their past associations. “He wasn’t at his usual level, we’ll see if he’s ready. I prefer not to risk him in this game and have him clean and in good physical condition for the Denmark game.”
Jesus expressed hope that the playmaker could recover sufficiently to feature when Portugal face Denmark in their upcoming Nations League fixture on Thursday evening. Medical staff continue to monitor his rehabilitation alongside teammate Nuno Mendes, whose availability for selection remains day-to-day.
Manchester United Monitoring Club Captain’s Fitness
Back in domestic football, Old Trafford officials will be watching developments closely. Fernandes has been an ever-present figure for United this season, playing every minute of their five Premier League fixtures, featuring in the Champions League win over Sabah, and appearing off the bench in the Carabao Cup against Brighton.
Michael Carrick’s squad does not return to Premier League action until October 10, when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford looking to steady their campaign. The club is already contending with a broad injury list that includes Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Benjamin Sesko, Amad Diallo, Matthieu de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and Tom Heaton, amplifying the importance of Fernandes maintaining his fitness through the international window.