Manchester United host Everton on Monday as they look to apply pressure on the teams in the Champions League places
Matheus Cunha during a Manchester United game
Matheus Cunha could miss Man United's clash against Everton on Monday night
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Manchester United could be without five key players for their encounter against Everton. David Moyes returns to his former club and Old Trafford with the Toffees as they look to dent United's recent upturn in form.
However, Ruben Amorim's side will have to do it without important members of the squad as injury issues begin to surface at the Theatre of Dreams. United are unbeaten in five after three wins and back-to-back draws, with two dramatic displays earning them a point in their last outings.
United could move into the top four if they win by three or more goals but a win would be enough to maintain pressure on the Champions League places.
Summer signing Matheus Cunha has emerged as an injury doubt for United after missing out on a Christmas lights switch on.
The former Wolves striker was due to turn on the Christmas lights in Altrincham on Saturday night, but the organisation behind the event were reported that the Brazilian was unable to attend, citing "medical reasons" as the explanation.
"Unfortunately, Matheus Cunha has had an accident in training today and will not be able to attend tonight's Christmas Lights Switch on in Altrincham due to medical reasons," VisitAltrincham wrote in a statement.
It remains to be seen whether he will feature in any capacity against Everton, though ESPN reported that it is a 'minor knock' that Cunha has picked up and he could yet be deemed fit enough to play. Benjamin Sesko is set to remain sidelined through injury. The Slovenian was forced off during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur with a knee injury.
Reports emerged claiming that Sesko could be ruled out for up to a month with the injury.
Amorim provided an update on Sesko's injury, where the United boss confirmed that the striker would be unavailable for several weeks. "He is going to stay a few weeks out," said Amorim.
"I don't know how long but it is not that serious. We have to be careful with him. He is going to recover. He is doing the recovery and he is feeling better so we expect in a few weeks to have him back.
"I think it is going to be more or less he will be back at the same time as Amad and Mbeumo leave for AFCON. I don't want to say for sure but when they are going to the camp I expect to have Ben back."
Defender Harry Maguire will miss out for the Merseysiders' visit to Old Trafford. The England defender suffered a muscle injury during United's draw with Tottenham before the international break.
Amorim confirmed that Maguire is "not ready" to feature against Everton on Monday night, and it remains to be seen when the England international will make his return to the squad.
Kobbie Mainoo faces a race against time to be fit to face the Toffees. The midfielder was unavailable for the draw with Tottenham before the international break due to a knock.
The 20-year-old will have to prove his fitness, in order to have a place in the squad.
The Portuguese head coach admitted that Mainoo had yet to return to training as of Friday, but he had hopes that the midfielder would be back involved before the clash against Everton.
"Kobbie didn't train today but I think tomorrow we could see Kobbie so we will see," said Amorim.
Lisandro Martinez is still on the comeback trail as he continues his recovery from the knee injury which he suffered in February.
The issue was severe enough for the Argentine to undergo surgery and since then, he has been building up his fitness in order to return to the starting 11.
Amorim said recently that he hopes to have the Argentina international back on the pitch in the near future.
"He needs more time to work there, and he is not working there, but in an emergency, he can play, but I am not thinking about that," said Amorim.
"I feel Licha is becoming close to being able to play. We need to be careful, he is going to struggle in the first minutes but he is clearly in a better position than he was two weeks ago."
As for Everton, one-time United transfer target Jarrad Branthwaite is out as is fellow defender Nathan Patterson. Merlin Rohl (hernia) is also set to miss out after undergoing surgery in the international break.