Home · Sports · Sep 27 archive
Fernandes, Gakpo, Dorgu Join International Break's Injury List
Confirmed
In Short: Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, and Patrick Dorgu have joined the growing list of players injured during the international break.
Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, and Patrick Dorgu have joined the growing list of players injured during the international break. Fernandes, who played through pain for Portugal against Wales, was not in the squad for the match against Norway due to an injury he sustained with Manchester United.
Gakpo, a Liverpool striker, had to leave the field just 16 minutes into the Netherlands' 2-1 victory over Serbia, grimacing and holding his right leg. Dorgu, a midfielder for Denmark, lasted 30 minutes before limping off in their 2-0 win against Wales.
The first international break of the 2026-27 season is unusually long, lasting three weeks instead of the usual one. This extended break is due to the scrapping of the traditional October break, resulting in four international matches being played across late September and early October.
Fernandes' absence from the Norway match was noted by Portugal's manager Jorge Jesus, who said, 'He played with an injury he brought from Manchester United.' Fernandes had expressed a strong desire to play against Wales despite his injury.
Gakpo's injury adds to Liverpool's woes, following Alexander Isak's withdrawal from Sweden duty with a minor thigh injury. The club is now facing additional challenges due to the international break's extended duration.
Manchester United's Fernandes is expected to return to action soon, as the club prepares for their Champions League debut against Sabah FK. Fernandes has been a key player for Manchester United since his arrival, breaking the Premier League assist record last season and winning the PFA Player of the Year award.
Fernandes has shifted his focus to scoring this season, averaging 0.79 expected goals per 90 minutes compared to 0.35 last season. This change in strategy could prove beneficial against Sabah FK, where he is likely to find himself in dangerous positions to both create and score.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has signed Argentina international Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a reported 125 million pounds. Fernandez, who was part of Argentina's team that reached the 2026 World Cup final, will partner with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi in City’s revamped central midfield.
Background
Most Premier League teams are packed with international players, making the break particularly challenging. Brentford, for instance, has a longer break than almost every other team, having hosted Chelsea on Friday evening.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews has given his players a week off during the three-week international break, with plans to resume training and play a behind-closed-doors game.
What's confirmed
- Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, and Patrick Dorgu have joined the growing list of players injured during the international break. Fernandes, who played through pain for Portugal against Wales, was not in the squad for the match against Norway due to an injury he sustained with Manchester United.
- Gakpo, a Liverpool striker, had to leave the field just 16 minutes into the Netherlands' 2-1 victory over Serbia, grimacing and holding his right leg. Dorgu, a midfielder for Denmark, lasted 30 minutes before limping off in their 2-0 win against Wales.
- The first international break of the 2026-27 season is unusually long, lasting three weeks instead of the usual one. This extended break is due to the scrapping of the traditional October break, resulting in four international matches being played across late September and early October.
- Fernandes' absence from the Norway match was noted by Portugal's manager Jorge Jesus, who said, 'He played with an injury he brought from Manchester United.' Fernandes had expressed a strong desire to play against Wales despite his injury.
- Gakpo's injury adds to Liverpool's woes, following Alexander Isak's withdrawal from Sweden duty with a minor thigh injury. The club is now facing additional challenges due to the international break's extended duration.
- Manchester United's Fernandes is expected to return to action soon, as the club prepares for their Champions League debut against Sabah FK. Fernandes has been a key player for Manchester United since his arrival, breaking the Premier League assist record last season and winning the PFA Player of the Year award.
- Fernandes has shifted his focus to scoring this season, averaging 0.79 expected goals per 90 minutes compared to 0.35 last season. This change in strategy could prove beneficial against Sabah FK, where he is likely to find himself in dangerous positions to both create and score.
- Meanwhile, Manchester City has signed Argentina international Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a reported 125 million pounds. Fernandez, who was part of Argentina's team that reached the 2026 World Cup final, will partner with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi in City’s revamped central midfield.
What's still developing
- The 24-year-old Spanish international joined London City Lionesses from FC Barcelona last summer ahead of the club’s debut season in the Barclays Women’s Super League.