Liverpool will travel to Manchester United this weekend, with one set of results in the Premier League enough to secure the Champions League for Arne Slot's side
17:33, 30 Apr 2026
Michael Carrick and Matheus Cunha during a Manchester United training session.
Michael Carrick and Matheus Cunha during a Manchester United training session.(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United has been handed a major injury boost ahead of facing Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.
Michael Carrick's side will be able to call upon Matheus Cunha after it was confirmed that the Brazilian was back in training. He missed the win over Brentford on Monday with a minor issue that he has now recovered from.
Cunha has been a successful signing since he moved from Wolves to Old Trafford last summer. On his last appearance before the issue, he scored the winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, helping to seal the fate of the now-fired Liam Rosenior.
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"(Cunha) just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game the other day," Carrick told reporters before the Red Devils beat Brentford.
"He was looking promising during the week, so we thought he might have been OK, but he just didn’t quite recover quick enough. It is nothing too serious, but unfortunately he doesn’t make it tonight."
Cunha could come back into the starting XI to take on Liverpool, replacing either Bryan Mbeumo or Amad Diallo. Benjamin Sesko is likely to keep his place through the center.
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2026 in London, England
Matheus Cunha celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool could qualify for the Champions League this weekend if the results in the Premier League go the way of the Reds. Beating Manchester United next season, it would need to repeat the trick.
On Saturday, Brighton travels to Newcastle. On Sunday, Bournemouth will host Crystal Palace.
Should the Seagulls and the Cherries fail to win, a Liverpool victory would confirm a top-five finish for Arne Slot.
Regardless of how Chelsea gets on against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge, it will be unable to catch Liverpool should the Reds win against Manchester United. It comes to Anfield a week later.
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After Manchester United and Chelsea, Liverpool finishes the season with games against Aston Villa and Brentford. There is a scenario where it would be in Brentford's interest to lose at Anfield, though plenty has to happen before then.
Liverpool.com says: A win here is not vital in terms of the Champions League race, but the Reds would take big confidence from sending a statement like that.
Similar to winning at Everton, not least in the manner that it did, Liverpool would continue heading in the right direction by collecting the three points, though it is likely to be a close encounter.