LONDON, Dec 25 — Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has urged his players to “step up” in the absence of “impossible to replace” skipper Bruno Fernandes.

The Portugal international suffered a soft tissue injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa and, although Amorim believes the midfielder will be back soon, he is acutely aware of the need to fill the gap in United’s attack.