Christian Eriksen’s Manchester United return could boost Bruno Fernandes in two ways

Another 75 minutes in Portugal's 6-0 win over Luxembourg on Sunday evening and Bruno Fernandes' international break has been anything but a break.

Those of a Manchester United persuasion may have hoped meetings with Liechtenstein and Luxembourg would provide a chance for Fernandes to enjoy a well-earned rest. But with new manager Roberto Martinez wanting to get a feel for his strongest side early on, it was business as usual for the Reds midfielder and another 165 minutes in a season with no space to breathe.

Fernandes' 3,837 minutes for United this season is the equivalent of 42.6 full matches and more than any other player across Europe's top five leagues, including goalkeepers. Add another 732 for international duties and the 28-year-old is looking at equal to more than 50 full games over the course of 231 days between the opening fixture against Brighton and yesterday's Portugal appearance.

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That's an average of one full game every 4.5 days, and with Erik ten Hag so dependent on Fernandes that seems likely to continue. United want to go all the way in both the FA Cup and Europa League, but that will mean 19 games in two months and an incomprehensibly congested run-in.

A welcome relief to see Christian Eriksen on the mend, then, with the Reds midfielder confirming recently that he has been back on the turf at Carrington as he continues to recover from an ankle injury that has kept him out since January. April was always bookmarked as a likely window with which the Dane will return, and while a return against Newcastle on Sunday seems highly unlikely that original goal is expected to hold true.

Prior to the injury sustained during the FA Cup