<p><strong>Bruno Fernandes</strong> was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury in FPL Gameweek 17 &#8211; a major blow for many fantasy fans.</p>
<p>Nearly 300,000 FPL managers have already transferred the Manchester United midfielder out of their teams, expecting a lengthy absence.</p>
<p>But what&#8217;s the latest on his condition, is there an argument to keep him and if not, who are the best replacements? We take a look below using <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">Hub AI</a>, <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta">Opta stats</a> and more.</p>

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<h3>🤖 Hub AI quick summary 🤖</h3>
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<p>Read the full article for the detailed picture &#8211; and listen to an audio summary 👇</p>
<ul>
<li>🤕Fernandes is expected to miss &#8216;some&#8217; games but the precise timeline is unclear</li>
<li>🗓️A busy fixture schedule works against him and selling is likely to be the best plan &#8211; although long-term holders could keep hold of him for a couple of days in case we get more concrete news</li>
<li>🔮Matheus Cunha, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are among the top Hub AI-rated replacements</li>
</ul>

<audio class="wp-audio-shortcode" id="audio-76601-1" preload="none" style="width: 100%;" controls="controls"><source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-FPL.mp3?_=1" /><a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-FPL.mp3">https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-FPL.mp3</a></audio>
<h2>What happened to Fernandes? What&#8217;s the latest on his fitness?</h2>
<p>Fernandes pulled up late in the first half against Aston Villa, holding the back of his leg and stretching it out.</p>
<p>He appeared to signal to the bench to be changed &#8211; and indicate to his teammates that he could not take a corner &#8211; but played on until half-time, taking a shot and a later corner.</p>
<p>But he was replaced by <strong>Lisandro Martinez </strong>for the second half and after the game, Ruben Amorim confirmed the injury:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s soft tissue so I think he&#8217;s going to lose some games. I don&#8217;t know for sure, so let&#8217;s see.</p>
<p>&#8220;You can never control these things, he&#8217;s a guy who is always fit so he can recover quite well but I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>The Portuguese coach went on to say he thought both Fernandes and <strong>Kobbie Mainoo</strong> would be out for their next match against Newcastle, leaving the Red Devils short in midfield.</p>
<div id="attachment_76602" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76602" class="size-full wp-image-76602" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-GW1-17.jpeg" alt="Bruno Fernandes's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-GW1-17.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-GW1-17-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fernandes-GW1-17-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-76602" class="wp-caption-text">Bruno Fernandes&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<h2>Is Fernandes a sell in FPL?</h2>
<p>Information is critical to FPL decision-making &#8211; but how much more news we&#8217;ll get on Fernandes&#8217;s injury is uncertain.</p>
<p>Ruben Amorim may squeeze in another press conference before the Boxing Day deadline but if not, we&#8217;ll be relying on journalists to pick up a leak.</p>
<p>The Telegraph reported Fernandes could be <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/12/21/manchester-united-captain-bruno-fernandes-injury-month/">out for a month</a>, although there was nothing in their article to indicate whether this was anything more than speculation.</p>
<p>Assuming we get no more news, managers with strong benches could hold him and hope he returns for United&#8217;s Gameweek 19 clash with Wolves (H).</p>
<p>But many will not have the luxury, with budget back-ups like <strong>Marc Guiu </strong>popular picks.</p>
<div id="attachment_74389" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-74389" class="size-full wp-image-74389" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action.jpg" alt="Bruno Fernandes. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><p id="caption-attachment-74389" class="wp-caption-text">Bruno Fernandes. Picture by Getty Images</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Two things add to the pressure to sell him too.</p>
<p>The transfer market is still busy thanks to FPL topping everyone up to the maximum five free transfers, with lots of price changes happening daily.</p>
<p>Fernandes is predicted to fall in price overnight, although long-term holders could suffer some drops before he returns to his original price of £9.0m.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-price-rises"><strong>FPL price changes predictor</strong></a></p>
<p>The Christmas schedule meanwhile sees games come in quick succession, so even a short absence could see the Portuguese playmaker ruled out for a number of matches.</p>
<p>Selling him will therefore be the conclusion many FPL managers reach &#8211; as hundreds of thousands have already.</p>
<div id="attachment_76603" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76603" class="size-full wp-image-76603" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transfers-out-GW18.jpeg" alt="Transfers out ahead of Gameweek 18" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transfers-out-GW18.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transfers-out-GW18-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transfers-out-GW18-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-76603" class="wp-caption-text">Transfers out ahead of Gameweek 18</p></div>
<h2>Best Fernandes replacements in FPL</h2>
<p>Here are some of the best Fernandes replacements should you wish to sell him:</p>
<h3>Hub AI pick: Matheus Cunha (£8.0m)</h3>
<p>Cunha may have hit form when United need him most, scoring two and assisting one in his last three.</p>
<p>The Brazilian&#8217;s minutes should be secure given United&#8217;s injury list and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absentees.</p>
<p>He could be on penalties without Fernandes in the team and his 4.25 expected goals (xG) is the best of the available Red Devils&#8217; players.</p>
<p>Cunha is a fair bit cheaper than his teammate, despite rising in price overnight.</p>
<p>He is the top-rated midfielder for the next four gameweeks by Hub AI and many agree with his high potential, given he&#8217;s the ninth most popular transfer in.</p>
<p>There are question marks over how United will cope without their main chance creator, however this did not stop Cunha getting a big chance to score in the second half against Villa.</p>
<p>Their fixtures, including Wolves (H) and Burnley (A) are the third best up to Gameweek 21 according to the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">Hub&#8217;s fixture ticker</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_76604" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76604" class="size-full wp-image-76604" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cunha-GW1-17.jpeg" alt="Matheus Cunha's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cunha-GW1-17.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cunha-GW1-17-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cunha-GW1-17-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-76604" class="wp-caption-text">Matheus Cunha&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Pricier upgrade: Bukayo Saka (£10.3m)</h3>
<p>Saka was the subject of early transfers out before Fernandes was injured, with FPL managers looking for a way to bring in <strong>Hugo Ekitike</strong>.</p>
<p>The Arsenal midfielder now looks like one that can be kept &#8211; or even bought if not already owned.</p>
<p>He has scored four and assisted four, with many of those returns coming in recent weeks.</p>
<p>Hub AI rates him as the second best midfielder over the Christmas period &#8211; but he is not without his drawbacks.</p>
<p>Firstly, Arsenal&#8217;s penalty taker remains uncertain. <strong>Viktor Gyokeres </strong>took one at the weekend with Saka on the pitch but Saka stepped up earlier in the season &#8211; and there&#8217;s a history of spot-kick duties being shared around.</p>
<p>The Gunners&#8217; fixtures are not the strongest &#8211; they rank 10th on the Hub&#8217;s ticker up to Gameweek 21.</p>
<p>And finally, there are cheaper options in the Arsenal attack, as explored below.</p>
<div id="attachment_76605" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76605" class="size-full wp-image-76605" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Saka-stats-GW1-17.jpeg" alt="Bukayo Saka's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Saka-stats-GW1-17.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Saka-stats-GW1-17-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Saka-stats-GW1-17-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-76605" class="wp-caption-text">Bukayo Saka&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Mid-priced Arsenal coverage: Declan Rice (£7.1m)</h3>
<p>Rice has demonstrated he has multiple routes to points, racking up 97 to make him the third highest-scoring midfielder in the game.</p>
<p>A key role on set-pieces has helped him to six assists, while he&#8217;s scored two and earned 14 defensive contribution points.</p>
<p>While he arguably lacks the explosive potential of Saka, he is expected to continue ticking along nicely &#8211; and an assist and defensive contributions at the weekend helped him to an 11 pointer, while Saka came away with just three.</p>
<p>FPL managers should weigh up what can be done with the saving on Saka &#8211; and affording the likes of Ekitike could well tip the balance in favour of buying Rice.</p>
<div id="attachment_76606" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76606" class="size-full wp-image-76606" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rice-GW17.jpeg" alt="Declan Rice's stats" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rice-GW17.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rice-GW17-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rice-GW17-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-76606" class="wp-caption-text">Declan Rice&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Hub AI top 10 midfielders for predicted points: Gameweek 17-21</h3>
<p>Don&#8217;t fancy one of our selections above? Here are the top 10 midfielders according to Hub AI.</p>
<p><strong>Phil Foden </strong>and <strong>Morgan Rogers </strong>are among the standout alternatives, although the ideal entry point for the latter is not until Gameweek 20 when Aston Villa&#8217;s fixtures improve.</p>
<p>Fixtures are also a barrier to <strong>Antoine Semenyo </strong>&#8211; but there&#8217;s a lot to be said about his security of minutes over Christmas, when rotation is common.</p>
<p><strong>Elliot Anderson </strong>offers plenty of defensive contributions and some attacking threat at a super-budget £5.4m, while <strong>Bruno Guimaraes </strong>is another high scorer.</p>
<p>The Newcastle man is a booking away from a one-match ban though, with two more fixtures to get through before the suspension threshold is raised.</p>
<div id="attachment_76607" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76607" class="size-full wp-image-76607" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Predicted-points-GW17-21.jpeg" alt="Predicted points for midfielders up to Gameweek 21" width="840" height="690" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Predicted-points-GW17-21.jpeg 840w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Predicted-points-GW17-21-300x246.jpeg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Predicted-points-GW17-21-768x631.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><p id="caption-attachment-76607" class="wp-caption-text">Predicted points for midfielders up to Gameweek 21</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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