Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim still has one ‘ace in the hole’ that he can turn to for the Crystal Palace match on Sunday in the absence of Matheus Cunha.
Matheus Cunha was ruled out of action for Manchester United’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Everton at Old Trafford on Monday after he suffered a knock in training.
⚠️Injury latest ahead of Man Utd vs Palace
Harry Maguire: OUT
Matheus Cunha: OUT
Benjamin Sesko: OUT
Cunha / Maguire split image
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The Red Devils struggled without the 26-year-old Brazil international’s influence earlier this week, with 10-man Everton overcoming United in a stunning upset.
United lacked Cunha’s creative impact from the left-sided No 10 role in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system and the Red Devils were left chasing a 1-0 scoreline.
Amorim has been dealt a major blow after the 40-year-old Portuguese coach confirmed that United star Cunha would miss the Crystal Palace clash.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim drops injury update for Matheus Cunha and two key Man Utd players ahead of Crystal Palace match
Matheus Cunha celebrates with Bryan Mbeumo after scoring during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim must avoid his Mason Mount ‘mistake’ for the Crystal Palace match after Matheus Cunha’s injury update
Matheus Cunha has played a key part in helping Manchester United tick in attack, despite only scoring once across 11 matches in all competitions this season.
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United manager Ruben Amorim will no doubt miss Cunha for the Premier League visit to Selhurst Park for this weekend’s showdown against Crystal Palace.
However, the former Sporting CP head coach must now turn to Mason Mount to play a central role for him and Amorim cannot repeat what he did against Everton.
Do you agree with the United In Focus writer predictions for Man Utd vs Palace? Let us know yours…
Adnan Riaz: “2-1 to United, we must win this match and send a statement of intent ð¥”
Dale O’Donnell: “2-1 to United, Ruben Amorim needs a response from his players ðª”
Dan Coombs: “1-1 draw, United to take the lead and then blow it ð”
Jonny Maze: “3-2 to United, the players should be raring to get back on track ð”
Sean Fisher: “1-1 draw, the recent record vs Palace is not a pretty sight ð®”
Vatsal Gupta: “2-1 to United, Palace will be tired from midweek ð´”
Manchester United players celebrate scoring vs Tottenham.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Amorim shook up his tactics for the Toffees match after Cunha and United striker Benjamin Sesko were ruled out of action, with Joshua Zirkzee handed a rare start.
Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo played in the two No 10 roles behind Joshua Zirkzee, who underwhelmed with his overall performance against Everton.
Mason Mount came off the bench for United in the second half against 10-man Everton at Old Trafford and replaced Red Devils defender Noussair Mazraoui.
READ MORE: What Amad Diallo is doing ‘all the time’ in Man Utd matches for Ruben Amorim is different to two other players
Ruben Amorim made his major mistake with how he handled Mason Mount for the Everton match at Old Trafford
Mason Mount might have been able to play the entire second half, but the 26-year-old former Chelsea star struggled to exert his influence to turn the tide for United.
However, the problem started with Mount not being in the starting XI at all on Monday evening, with the Joshua Zirkzee ‘experiment’ failing badly for United.
How Manchester United lined-up in 4-0 Selhurst Park thrashing in 2024
Manchester United line-up during 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace
Manchester United line-up during 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace
Mount should have either started as the false nine against Everton or played in the left-sided No 10 role instead of coming off the bench when United were 1-0 down.
Following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half opener for Everton, David Moyes knew that 10-man Everton had to ‘shut up shop’ for the remainder of the second half.
United were left chasing the contest against the Toffees and Everton were going to hold on to their lead for dear life after Idrissa Gueye’s sending off in the first half.
Cunha will be a big miss for United fans on Sunday, but Amorim must roll the dice with United No 7 Mount from the outset and avoid repeating the same mistake again.