Manchester United may be missing eight players against Wolves, Bruno Fernandes requests to resume training! Amrolín hints at no longer using 3-4-3 formation in the future.

Manchester United will host Premier League relegation-threatened Wolves on Tuesday, and Ruben Amrolín continues to struggle with an incomplete squad. Seven players who missed the last match—including captain Bruno Fernandes, academy graduate Kobe Meno, center-backs De Ligt and Maguire, and African Cup of Nations internationals Mbemo, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui—remain unavailable. Additionally, Mason Mount, who left the Newcastle match injured at halftime, is also likely to be sidelined as a precaution.

United’s three long-term injured players—De Ligt, Maguire, and Meno—will definitely miss the Wolves game. British media revealed that Bruno Fernandes requested to return to training just a week after his hamstring injury, but he will certainly not feature against Wolves.

Mason Mount, who was unwell last game, has been spotted training this week and theoretically could play against Wolves. However, United are unwilling to risk him due to his history of serious injuries and fragility. If Mount is out, the question remains who will replace him; the veteran player might have to rely on Zirkzee, though Amrolín might take a chance on a youth academy player.

Among United’s African Cup of Nations players, Mazraoui’s Morocco has already secured first place in Group A, meaning his absence will extend. Mbemo’s Cameroon and Amad’s Ivory Coast need only a draw in their final matches to qualify, so they are also likely to miss Red Devils games into early 2026.

Amrolín stated: “I don’t know yet if Mason (Mount) will be available for the Wolves match. But I think Meno is not ready, Bruno (Fernandes) isn’t ready either, Matthijs (De Ligt) is the same, and Harry (Maguire) too. So, I don’t believe we have added any players who can participate.”

Bruno Fernandes is expected to miss at least a month due to injury, but Amrolín confirmed the captain has already asked to rejoin training at Carrington. Meno is also expected to resume training this week and might return in the away game at Leeds on Sunday. However, De Ligt and Maguire may require more time to get back on the pitch.

Amrolín added: “Bruno has long said he needs to train, but we are still uncertain about the exact situation. He definitely won’t play against Wolves, that’s for sure. Meno is about to start training again, and we will see how it goes. Matthijs has encountered setbacks, and Harry is the same.”

The 31-year-old Bruno Fernandes was seen in the stands at Old Trafford on Boxing Day watching the team’s 1-0 win over Newcastle, ending a six-match winless streak without him. Center-back Lisandro Martínez wore the captain’s armband, but Amrolín emphasized that Bruno still played a role during his injury by undergoing treatment and motivating teammates while observing training.

“He is always very talkative, which is why he is captain. Sometimes his gestures aren’t perfect, like his habit of shrugging, but he has many strengths. After treatment, he always watches the team’s training. There are many things you don’t see but he notices. He’s always been an excellent leader,” joked United’s coach. “He’s the type who insists on watching training after treatment, always there—I sometimes wonder if he wants my job! But he truly is a leader, a real leader.”

This season, Wolves have yet to win in the Premier League, losing 16 of 18 games, making this the last chance for the team to secure points in the first half of the season. However, United previously won 4-1 away at Molineux this month, and the second match offers a chance to secure back-to-back wins. Amrolín clearly stated that victory is crucial.

“We must win, but Wolves showed against Arsenal that they can at least earn a point,” he said. “So in the Premier League, anything can happen. Wolves have their problems, and so do we, but there are no excuses to avoid responsibility. Manchester United must win, and we will strive to do so.”

There is much speculation about whether Amrolín will revert to the 3-4-3 formation he has consistently used. United deployed a four-defender starting lineup for the first time against Newcastle. The 40-year-old Portuguese coach hinted that even after African Cup players return and injuries heal, he will not switch back to the three-center-back system.

Amrolín said that adopting a four-defender formation should be Manchester United’s long-term tactical plan rather than a temporary fix. The Red Devils’ manager emphasized that he intended to adjust the lineup earlier but hesitated, fearing it might seem like yielding to pressure from fans and the media. He repeatedly stressed that regardless of formation, the team’s playing principles remain the same.

Amrolín explained: “First, everything must be done step by step. When I arrived at United last season, I realized maybe we didn’t have players suited for the 3-4-3 system. But that was just the beginning; we have been working on building our own style and characteristics. Now is a different time; our squad is limited, so adjustments are necessary. The players now understand why I changed—not because of media or fan pressure but because we clearly know the style we want to play, and the principles haven’t changed.”

In the match against Newcastle, Amrolín abandoned the 3-4-3 for the first time in his coaching career, surprising and confusing Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe, who took considerable time to adjust. United capitalized on the opportunity to score. At halftime, Amrolín reverted to three center-backs to maintain the one-goal lead.

Amrolín said: “We can change formations; I know that will make Manchester United a stronger team. When all players return, we won’t always play with three center-backs; our performance will improve. But I also mentioned a problem: if you keep demanding formation changes, I can’t do it because players might think I’m yielding to pressure, which undermines the coach’s authority. Therefore, we must excel within our tactical framework, and when changing tactics helps us win, that will be the time to do it!”

Predicted Manchester United starting lineup against Wolves: Senna Lamens / Diogo Dalot, Eden Haven, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw / Casemiro, Ugarte / Patrick Dogu, Zirkzee, Cunha / Sheshko.