Fernandes expected to return as Premier League weekend tests United and City

Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to Manchester United’s starting lineup for Saturday’s visit to Chelsea after holding “clear-the-air talks” with manager Michael Carrick, according to the Guardian. Fernandes had been left on the bench against Bournemouth after criticising Carrick’s tactics during the Champions League defeat by Como. The Guardian reported that Fernandes was an unused substitute as Bournemouth won decisively at Old Trafford.

The captain has also been described as having a poor season so far, meaning his return would carry an immediate expectation that he responds on the pitch. The report said the dispute appeared resolved, although only “for now”. Manchester City’s meeting with Brighton will be viewed against the club’s recent guilty verdict for serial breaches of Premier League financial rules.

The Guardian said Enzo Maresca’s team have won four matches and lost two since the verdict, including a Carabao Cup shootout victory over Brighton and a league defeat by Aston Villa. A further defeat to Brighton could raise concerns that the prospect of a sanction, potentially including demotion to the Championship, is distracting City’s players, the Guardian reported. The article compared the situation with City’s response to Rodri’s serious knee injury in September 2024: the team went unbeaten in seven matches before losing 10 of their next 13.

Coventry’s meeting with Sunderland will also focus on a lack of goals. The Guardian noted that Coventry’s four-goal league haul against Newcastle on 12 October accounts for two-thirds of their total for the season. Gustavo Hamer, identified as the club’s most creative player, has spent much of the campaign on the bench and asked to play for the under-21s to build up his minutes.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard praised Hamer’s approach, training and work ethic before the midfielder came on as an 86th-minute substitute in the defeat by Fulham. The question for Saturday is whether he will receive more than the four minutes he was given off the bench in that match. Bournemouth arrive at the weekend after a notable run that included victories over Milan, Manchester United and Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.

The Guardian said Marco Rose’s team have recovered momentum following his first Premier League win, against Sunderland on 18 October. Evanilson has scored four goals in five matches, while Eli Junior Kroupi has returned to the squad. Elsewhere, Brentford’s early charge has slowed after three matches without a win, including a disappointing draw at Hull.

Nottingham Forest remain in the bottom three after drawing 1-1 at Ipswich, with missed chances and the continued lack of goals from Liam Delap highlighted by the Guardian. Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was crowded out by Ipswich’s midfield, while Daniel Muñoz’s overlapping runs helped create Neco Williams’ goal.