Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has hinted at resting Bruno Fernandes for the Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Red Devils will take on Eddie Howe’s team at the St James’s Park in a bid to end their three-match winless run in all the.
Fernandes has been a key player for Manchester United this season despite their poor performances.
He has played in every minute of the team’s last 20 matches in all competitions.
Manchester United have a date with Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday.
There are reports that Amorim could rest a number of his first team stars against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Portuguese manager revealed that he would have to consult the data to determine who is likely to be rested.
He said: “It’s an evaluation,” Ruben said of the situation with Bruno.
“We’ll make this evaluation with all the staff, with all the data that we have, and then because we already know the players, we will try to protect the ones that it will be hard to make a lot of games.
“But Bruno Fernandes is playing all the time and he’s playing better all the time. Sometimes, this kind of player has to play in every match.
“But we will address that these days that we have to prepare.”
Fernandes is Manchester United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals, and he has also recorded 18 assists in all competitions.
Amorim admitted that he needs to apply caution with some players ahead of the clash against Newcastle United.
He said: “Sometimes, winning games is the best way of preparing the next one.
“Of course, I’m going to be careful with some players, but we need to be competitive. When you are playing for Manchester United, you cannot go to the game thinking about the next one.
“So we are going to face this one. We have three days and we are going to prepare the game in the way without a lot of running, a lot of training.
“It’s just recovering. And then we will be fine on Thursday, with our fans. But we need to face Newcastle in a way that we can win the game.“
Fernandes won the Premier League player of the month for March following his impressive performances in the month under review with six Premier League goals.
He also sent a note of support to under-fire goalkeeper, André Onana, who was at fault for the 2-2 draw against Lyon on Thursday.
Amorim said: “It can happen. If you play football, and we play a lot of games, you can make mistakes,” said United manager Amorim. “There is nothing I can say to Andre in this moment that will help.”
“We have one more game to change everything and that should be our focus,” he added.
Amorim will be hoping they can secure a win against Newcastle United on Sunday after their disappointing 0-0 draw against Man City last weekend.
