Premier League clubs are bracing for a wave of injury updates after a brutal round of Nations League fixtures left several high-profile stars sidelined. The international break, which has been extended this season to accommodate a condensed schedule, is already proving costly for top-flight sides, with Manchester United and Liverpool facing significant concerns over key personnel.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United’s influential captain, headlines the list of casualties. After featuring in Portugal’s victory over Wales last Thursday, Fernandes was conspicuously absent from the squad for Sunday’s clash with Norway. It has since emerged that the midfielder was managing an existing issue he carried into the international window. Portugal boss Jorge Jesus confirmed that Fernandes had “played through the pain” during the Wales match, admitting that the playmaker “wasn’t his usual self.” Jesus noted that the injury originated during his club commitments at Old Trafford, raising questions about the workload placed on the Portugal star.
While Fernandes’ absence was a precautionary withdrawal, the outlook is arguably more worrying for Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo. The forward, who has enjoyed a productive start to the 2026-27 campaign with two goals and four assists, saw his evening cut short during the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Serbia. Gakpo appeared in visible distress just 17 minutes into the match, clutching his lower right leg before being forced off the pitch.
Dutch manager Xavi Hernández offered a brief, cautious update following the full-time whistle. “It’s his ankle, that’s all I know,” Hernández told reporters. “Tomorrow he will have a scan, but hopefully, it’s not too important.” Liverpool’s medical staff will be waiting anxiously for the results of those tests as the club looks ahead to a busy period of fixtures.
Adding to the woes of Manchester United, full-back Patrick Dorgu also saw his involvement prematurely ended. Representing Denmark, Dorgu lasted only 30 minutes in their 2-0 victory against Wales before limping off the field, becoming the latest player to succumb to the physical intensity of the Nations League.
These injuries come under the microscope of a revamped international calendar. The 2026-27 men’s football season features a significantly altered schedule, with the traditional October international break scrapped in favor of a prolonged three-week block spanning late September and early October. Under the new format, nations are required to play four matches instead of the usual two.
With players now facing a heavier international burden, the physical toll is becoming increasingly evident. As managers prepare for the return of domestic action, the focus shifts to the treatment room, with clubs awaiting further confirmation on the severity of injuries that could sideline their stars for the coming weeks.
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