Matheus Cunha has spent the international break trying to return to full fitness so he can feature for Manchester United in the upcoming derby.
Manchester United beat Burnley 3-2 in their last Premier League game before the international break, and while it provided a much-needed three points, the injury to Matheus Cunha was a significant blow.
Cunha hinted at his recovery with a social media message over the break, giving fans hope that the £62.5m summer signing might be available for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.
But head coach Ruben Amorim provided an official fitness update in his pre-match press conference and ruled the Brazilian out of the 197th Manchester derby.
Matheus Cunha down with a hamstring strain
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim provides Matheus Cunha injury update
Cunha has made an excellent start at United since joining from Wolves, despite having to play the majority of matches as a centre-forward.
The 26-year-old will be a huge miss for United, and according to Amorim it seems the medical staff have had to step in to keep Matheus Cunha out of the match.
When asked about the extent of the injuries, Amorim said: “I don’t want to say. If you talk to Cunha outside, he will say he can play this game. They are pushing really hard.”
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Amorim also confirmed that Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot have been ruled out of the match.
“They are out for this game, I don’t know how long it’s going to take. We need these guys to be a competitive team. We have very good players, who are eager to play, so we will be competitive on Sunday. But they are out,” Amorim added.
Matheus Cunha absence creates Bruno Fernandes question
So far this season, club captain Bruno Fernandes has been pushed back into a deeper central midfield role.
Fernandes’ role has sparked plenty of questions around the balance of United’s midfield, but it seems Amorim may revert to his 2024/25 role in the absence of Cunha.
With no Cunha (or Mount for that matter), there is a free spot available at No.10 in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Cunha has often started up with Mount as the left No.10.
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Benjamin Sesko impressed for Slovenia over the break and will hope to claim the centre-forward spot, and it means that Fernandes can be pushed forward to play as a No.10 alongside Bryan Mbeumo.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte will be competing for the final starting spot in central midfield alongside Casemiro.