Bruno Fernandes suffers injury setback ahead of Portugal’s Norway clash

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been ruled out of Portugal’s Nations League clash against Norway on Sunday after suffering a fitness issue in the team’s 1-0 win over Wales.

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Fernandes was substituted late in Thursday’s victory in Lisbon, with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus confirming that the midfielder will not feature in Oslo.

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Jesus also revealed that Fernandes had been playing through pain in recent matches for Manchester United.

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“In the game against Wales, we went in with all the available players but Bruno Fernandes came off with a complicated problem,” Jesus said.

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“He said he’s been dealing with that pain for about three games, and that was one of the factors that prevented him from being at his usual level against Wales.

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“He was my player, I know him perfectly. I’ve already spoken to him. I prefer not to risk him in this game and have him clean and in good physical condition for the Denmark game (in Copenhagen on Thursday).”

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The decision means Fernandes will miss the opportunity to face Norway striker Erling Haaland for the second time this month.

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Haaland scored the only goal when Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Manchester derby at Old

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Trafford earlier this month.

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Fernandes has played every minute of United’s five Premier League matches so far this season, while he also completed the club’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah.

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The Portugal international was also introduced from the bench during United’s Carabao Cup match against Brighton as they attempted to recover from surrendering a two-goal lead.

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Fernandes has been particularly influential for United this season, scoring a hat-trick in their 5-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich, which remains their only league win of the campaign.

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United, managed by Michael Carrick, will return to Premier League action on October 10 when they host Tottenham.

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For Portugal, Fernandes is expected to target a return for Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Denmark in Copenhagen, provided he recovers fully from the problem.

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