Ruben Amorim set for fitness boost as Manchester United star returns early ahead of first match
Man Utd face Ipswich Town in Ruben Amorim's first match in charge of the club this weekend.
Ruben Amorim is set to receive a fitness boost ahead of his first match in charge of Manchester United this weekend.
The new head coach will take charge of his side for the first time when they travel to face Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon, and Amorim looks set to benefit from having a key player fresh for the clash.
Bruno Fernandes will return to Carrington early this week having been released earlier than expected from international duty with Portugal. The United club captain scored a goal as his nation defeated Poland 5-1 on Friday evening, a result that helped secure top spot in League A, Group 1 of the Nations League and secure a place in next year's final tournament.
It means Portugal's trip to face Croatia on Monday night is now effectively a dead-rubber tie and manager Roberto Martinez will use the opportunity to experiment with his squad. Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto have also been released from the squad, with Fábio Silva and Geovany Quenda promoted from the Under-21s.
Fernandes will be given some downtime before he returns to Carrington, where he will have the opportunity to work closely with compatriot and new head coach Amorim ahead of their trip to Portman Road. The 30-year-old has played the third highest number of minutes of any United player so far this season and has started 17 of their 18 matches across all competitions. After a slow start to the campaign under previous manager Erik ten Hag, he netted four goals in four appearances under the guidance of interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.