Portugal captain Bruno Fernandes will miss Sunday’s Nations League meeting with Norway after suffering a fitness problem during the team’s 1-0 victory over Wales.
Fernandes was substituted late in Thursday’s match in Lisbon, with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus confirming that the midfielder would not travel to Oslo for the encounter.
Jesus said Fernandes had also been managing pain during recent matches for Manchester United and opted against risking him against Norway.
“He said he’s been dealing with that pain for about three games, and that was one of the factors that prevented him from being at his usual level against Wales,” Jesus said.
The Portugal coach said he had spoken with Fernandes and preferred to have him recover fully before the team’s next match against Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday.
The absence means Fernandes will not face Norway striker Erling Haaland, who scored the only goal when Manchester United lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Fernandes has featured in all five of United’s Premier League matches this season and also played in the club’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah.
He came on as a substitute in United’s Carabao Cup match against Brighton, while his hat-trick against Ipswich helped secure their 5-2 Premier League victory.
United, managed by Michael Carrick, are scheduled to return to Premier League action on October 10 against Tottenham.
Fernandes is expected to target a return against Denmark if he recovers fully from the injury setback.
Bruno Fernandes ruled out of Portugal’s clash with Norway
