Man Utd sweating on fitness of star player ahead of Tottenham trip
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United may have to face Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening without star midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
The Red Devils travel to Spurs looking to move nine points clear of their hosts and give themselves breathing room in the race for a top-four finish.
Though Tottenham are in the midst of a crisis that is seemingly never-ending, United could be forced to head to north London without one of their key men in vice-captain Fernandes.
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The Portugal midfielder picked up an ankle injury during United's FA Cup semi-final with Brighton on Sunday, and ESPN report he is now a doubt to take on Tottenham.
Fernandes was substituted during the first half of extra-time at Wembley, though United's backroom staff had deliberated withdrawing him after 45 minutes.
Man Utd's record without Bruno Fernandes
Erik ten Hag will be desperate for Fernandes to prove his fitness in time for Thursday's game, not least because of the horrendous record United have this season without him in the starting lineup.
United have played four games without Fernandes as a starter this season and have only won once - a Carabao Cup tie at home to League One side Charlton Athletic.
Fernandes came on as a half-time substitute in a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad at Old Trafford in the UEFA Europa League in September.
He has served two suspensions this season - one in the Premier League and one in the Europa League - and United were defeated on both occasions, losing 3-1 at Aston Villa and 3-0 at Sevilla.
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On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette discuss Man Utd's progress to the FA Cup final following a penalty shootout win over Brighton, and Thursday's crucial Premier League trip to Spurs. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!