Fantasy Premier League managers were rocked at the weekend after Bruno Fernandes limped out of Manchester United’s defeat at Aston Villa.
The ever-present and ever-popular FPL midfielder is now set for a spell on the sidelines, with a hamstring issue.
Fernandes is the leading assist provider in the Premier League and the joint-highest scoring FPL midfielder, alongside Antoine Semenyo. Replacing him represents a headache for FPL bosses, but we’re on hand with some potential options.
With Bruno Fernandes likely to spend some time on the sidelines 🤕#FPL managers, what’s your move? pic.twitter.com/fNVykG9pmG
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 22, 2025
Fantasy Premier League: The best Bruno Fernandes replacements in FPL
Matheus Cunha – Manchester United (£8m) – 6%
Upcoming fixtures: Newcastle (H), Wolves (H), Leeds (A)
Is Matheus Cunha an obvious answer to replace Fernandes? With the latter sidelined and Bryan Mbeumo away at the Africa Cup of Nations, much of the creative burden will fall on the summer signing.
There will be question marks over Manchester United’s strength as an attacking unit with out those names, but Cunha has found some personal form in recent weeks, despite mixed results. He’s returned in three consecutive games and has scored in successive fixtures against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
Phil Foden – Manchester City (£8.9m) – 40.6%
Upcoming fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H)
Phil Foden’s price has rose rapidly in recent weeks, following a blistering run of form. The Manchester City midfielder is now £8.9m, at the time of writing, and with over 40% ownership. It’s a result of a goal-laden period, with Foden scoring six times in four Premier League games before a blank against West Ham in GW17. City are in good form, winning five on the spin, with Foden at the heart of it.
Rayan Cherki – Manchester City (£6.6m) – 8.3%
Upcoming fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H)
Rayan Cherki is fast becoming an attractive FPL asset. The Frenchman has started the last three games for Manchester City, and recorded a 12-point haul against Sunderland in GW15. Jeremy Doku’s injury has opened up a regular role in Pep Guardiola’s plan and Cherki’s impressive form should ensure he stays there.
His underlying numbers are exceptional. Cherki leads the Premier League for assists per 90 minutes (0.97) and ranks behind only Erling Haaland for non-penalty goals and assists per 90 (1.14).
822 minutes played.
🤯 @rayan_cherki pic.twitter.com/L5ZuOzXSyY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2025
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle United (£7.3m) – 3.1%
Upcoming fixtures: Manchester United (A), Burnley (A), Crystal Palace (H)
Anthony Gordon has returned two double-digit hauls in his last three games and, at 3.1% ownership, could be the perfect differential.
With a reasonable looking schedule and, seemingly, on penalties for the Magpies, Gordon presents an intriguing option. The only downside, perhaps, is a lack of nailed-on minutes. With Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga all competing for places, he’s unlikely to complete too many full 90s.
Florian Wirtz – Liverpool (£8.1m) – 8.2%
Ok, hear us out.
Florian Wirtz was one of the most-picked players ahead of GW1 and has not lived up to expectations, since his £116m move to Liverpool in the summer. But the German remains a fantastic talent, and after recording a first league assist last weekend, he’s emerged as a genuine FPL option again.
Liverpool host Wolves in GW18, the plummest of plum fixtures right now, before another home date with Leeds United, and a trip to an inconsistent Fulham. On paper, it’s a great run of games, while the absences of Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai (suspended in GW18), will put more pressure on Wirtz to take centre stage.
Just two players across Europe’s top five leagues scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in 2023/24 and 2024/25. One was Mohamed Salah. The other? Florian Wirtz.
Maybe, just maybe, his time is now.
Read –Â The five favourites to sign Antoine Semenyo in January
See more –Â Remembering when a 21-year-old Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or
