Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim does not believe Bruno Fernandes' injury will keep him out for very long but declined to put a timescale on his absence.
The Portugal international sustained a soft tissue injury in Sunday's defeat by Aston Villa, after which Amorim said he feared his captain would be out for "a while."
However, ahead of the Boxing Day game against Newcastle United, Amorim softened his view on the extent of Fernandes' injury and also that of the calf problem sustained by Kobbie Mainoo who missed the Villa game.
"Not for this game," he said on the prospect of either being available.
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"They are recovering. I don't think that is going to take a lot of time. I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno."
Asked for a timescale on Fernandes' absence, Amorim added: "I don't want to say, I have an idea but let's see."
In the absence of Fernandes, Amorim said other players need to step up.
"It is impossible to replace Bruno but I said that this morning to the team," Amorim said.
"We need to take the good thing -- if there is a good thing on that -- that a lot of people need to step up and understand we cannot rely on one player for everything.
"Sometimes we rely on Bruno for organisation and the creation. We have lost Bruno on set-pieces, Bryan [Mbeumo] and Amad on set-pieces, so this is massive for the team.
"But it is an opportunity for other players to step up and show the leadership that we need in the team."
In addition to his talent on the ball, United have always looked to Fernandes for leadership.
Asked what the team would miss in that respect, Amorim added: "Everything.
"He understands every position on the field, he pays attention to every detail; every set-piece when you have a substitution he is always the guy telling the other guys where they should be.
"But that is a very good opportunity for guys like Licha [Lisandro Martínez], Luke Shaw, all these guys. We need to step up to have more leaders in the group because this can happen to Bruno.
"It is not usual but this can happen, so it is a big opportunity for the other guys.
"We have other players we need to maybe try to see different ways of playing. I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job [when he came on against Villa] and that is why when we have this opportunity we have to give space to Jack and the other ones.
"We will find solutions to play."
After Newcastle, United face bottom side Wolves, Leeds United, Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion and it is a spell which they have to take advantage of before back-to-back games against Manchester City and Arsenal having won just two of their last eight league matches.
"I am confident we can win any game," Amorim said.
"Of course we have some problems, but even without many players in this moment in time I believe in the team and I believe we can win any game.
"Of course it is more difficult but I trust in my players and if we are really focused, we can win."