Moment Spotted Between Bruno Fernandes and Man Utd Star After Villa Clash

Bruno Fernandes went out of his way to speak to one of his Manchester United teammates after the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Morgan Rogers proved to be the match-winner at Villa Park, bagging a brilliant brace either side of a Matheus Cunha equaliser for United to secure a 10th win in a row and move Unai Emery's side just three points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League.

United are currently seventh in the league after going two games without a win in a week and their frustrations grew after Fernandes was forced off with a rare injury.

The United skipper clutched his hamstring at the end of the first half and despite playing on for a few minutes, was withdrawn for Lisandro Martinez at half-time in a major reshuffle.

Without Kobbie Mainoo through injury, as well as a trio of players at the Africa Cup of Nations, youngsters Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey were both brought on by Ruben Amorim in the second half.

But it was another prospect who got some love from Fernandes after the game. The Portugal international was back on the bench to watch the second half and after the game, footage showed him putting an arm around the shoulder of Bendito Mantato.

The 17-year-old, an England youth international, has been in and around the first-team environment but is yet to make his senior bow.

• If you want to see even more from SPORTbible, make us a preferred source on Google

Fernandes showed his leadership qualities by speaking with the local lad after he failed to get the nod in the West Midlands.

Fernandes is very rarely unavailable and since joining United from Sporting in 2020, has only missed three games through injury or illness.

But he looks set for a spell on the sidelines, with Amorim expecting it him to be absent for a considerable amount of time in a notoriously tricky period of the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Amorim said: "I think it’s soft tissue [Fernandes injury] so it’s going to be a while. We’ll see. We have to cope. We will find solutions”.

With a shortage of options due to injuries and other factors, Amorim hinted at more involvement from academy players in the next stretch.

"I think Fletcher did his first game, so that is good news, Lacey the same, so we will try to find solutions and go for the next game," Amorim explained.

“I am a manager for six years and even Sporting is all about the academy, so it’s about the history.

“Every manager wants to bring players through from the academy and not spend money because this gives value to the manager.

“I just want to win and want to be certain that the players that come in from the academy are not going to suffer too much."

United are back in action on Friday when they host Newcastle in an 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford.