Bruno Fernandes is refusing to accept a string of injuries as an excuse for Manchester United’s dire early-season form, insisting that things will improve.

Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis

The Red Devils are indeed suffering a lot of injuries, with the likes of Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat all out of late, while Antony is on a leave of absence after abuse allegations and Jadon Sancho is not available after a public spat with manager Erik ten Hag.

The weakened United team lost 4-3 at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, continuing a poor run which has also seen them lose to Brighton, Spurs and Arsenal early in the campaign.

Among many other things, their injury problems have been touted as a reason for their struggles, but Fernandes rejects that suggestion.

‘No, it’s not about that,’ he said. ‘We can’t rely now on the injuries and everything. Obviously, we want to have everyone back because we know that as many players we have available, the team will be stronger.

‘But we have the players and we have enough experience and enough talent in the team to get through this moment.

‘I think some of them probably will come back earlier and will lift the team because we have quality players injured. But it’s about the ones that are now playing, giving something to get the result.

‘Obviously it’s not the best moment for us but we will get through this and we will get the results back. We know it’s tough and you need to get through that because you can’t control it. But I think the team has players enough to get a response.

‘I think everyone has to do is to do their own job and look at themselves first. That’s what I do as a player. Not as a captain – as a person and first point. I think everyone does that.

‘It wasn’t the case that not everyone was good doing the best for the team or trying to fight for getting the result.

‘It’s just the momentum and against big teams, when you give a lot of chances to them they’re going to hurt you.’

Speaking ahead of the defeat in Munich, Ten Hag did admit the injuries problems were a ‘concern’ but also tried not to use them as an excuse for his side’s concerning form.

‘Yes, of course, it is a concern,’ the Dutchman said of the fitness issues. ‘That is why we knew that before, when we constructed the squad with that, so we can deal with it. The squad can deal with it.

‘One thing is true, from the start last season, I almost never started with the best, in my opinion, starting XI.

‘You have to deal with it and we always got the results in, apart from now.’