Fernandes, Gakpo and Dorgu Join International Injury List
Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, and Patrick Dorgu have joined the international break injury list during Nations League fixtures. Manchester United captain Fernandes played through pain against Wales, Liverpool striker Gakpo sustained an ankle injury against Serbia, and Denmark’s Dorgu limped off after 30 minutes, amid a restructured 2026-27 international calendar.
International Break Toll Hits Premier League Clubs
The first international break of the 2026-27 men’s football season has delivered immediate squad disruptions for top European clubs. A restructured calendar has lengthened the break by a week, scrapping the traditional October window and establishing a three-week gap across late September and early October where national teams play four matches instead of two.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes featured in Portugal’s win over Wales on Thursday but was absent from the squad for Sunday’s fixture against Norway. Jorge Jesus revealed prior to the match that Fernandes had played through the pain against Wales and was not his usual self. Jorge Jesus stated that Fernandes played with an injury brought from Manchester United because he really wanted to play against Wales.
Liverpool and Manchester United Face Fitness Concerns
Further compounding club concerns, both Fernandes’ United teammate Patrick Dorgu and Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo suffered injuries during matches on Sunday. Cody Gakpo departed just 17 minutes into the Netherlands’ 2-1 win against Serbia, grimacing and holding the lower part of his right leg.
Cody Gakpo had started the season well for Liverpool, contributing two goals and four assists in six appearances across all competitions. Netherlands boss Xavi Hernández confirmed that Gakpo would undergo a scan on Monday. Xavi Hernández noted that the issue concerns his ankle and expressed hope that it is not too important.