Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shot down suggestions that Bruno Fernandes is suffering from burn-out.
The Portuguese playmaker has been key to the club's rise up the Premier League table this season, but endured one of his worst days in a United jersey against Liverpool.
Fernandes appeared unhappy at his 89th minute substitution in the 0-0 draw at Anfield.
The 26-year old has started all-but one of United's eighteen league games so far this season, and played half of the one he didn't.
But Solskjaer denies Fernandes is suffering from fatigue, He’s not tired, no. No chance. He’s one of the players who runs and covers the ground in every single game.
"He’s very good at recovery, very good at recharging his batteries.
"If he’d scored with his free-kick, if he’d just had a bit of air on the shot when Luke [Shaw] put the cross in, he’d have been lauded as the best player in the Premier League again.
"Since he came in, he’s been absolutely immense. No, he’s not tired. If I ask him, there’s absolutely no chance he’ll say he’s tired."
Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are all one booking away from a suspension.
United go to Fulham on Wednesday night, with the FA Cup 4th round visit of Liverpool to follow at the weekend.
So, will that tightrope enter into Solskjaer's thinking when picking his team for Craven Cottage?
"No.
"You just have to take one game at a time because if you leave them out for one game, then they might as well get a suspension for one game!
"There are a couple of games to go until the amnesty comes in, after 20 games, [it's after 19] but it’s not in my thoughts.
"It really feels like we’ve got the strength in depth.
"I have to leave some players even out of the squad, when they should be in the squad, but it’s a good challenge and conundrum to have for the right reasons."
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