Matheus Cunha has made his return to training ahead of Sunday's encounter with Liverpool, delivering Manchester United a significant lift in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. The Brazilian, who was absent from sessions last week, celebrated the moment by sharing on social media.
After experiencing discomfort in his hip flexor, the forward failed to regain fitness in time to feature against Brentford on Monday. Prior to missing the victory over Brentford, Cunha had been named in the starting line-up for 10 successive matches for United under Michael Carrick. He had, however, been withdrawn with nine minutes left on the clock after netting the decisive goal in the triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
There was already expectation that Cunha could be available to take on Arne Slot's outfit, and United's most recent social media activity seems to strengthen that prospect. In a training photograph published by United's official account, Cunha was pictured back on the pitch alongside his colleagues. The caption read: "Look who's back in training!" The Brazilian subsequently reshared it on his Instagram story with two emojis.
Before the 2-1 home victory over Brentford, Carrick told Sky Sports: "He just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game. It looked promising during the week, but he didn't recover in time as we'd hoped. It's nothing too serious but, unfortunately, he misses out."
Cunha's spot in the starting XI was filled by Amad, while Carrick was also given a lift by the return of Patrick Dorgu to a matchday squad for the first time in slightly over three months. Cunha had taken Dorgu's place on the left flank when the 21 year old sustained a hamstring injury against Arsenal in January.
That was merely Carrick's second match in charge, and Dorgu had found the net in both before sustaining the injury. Leny Yoro also made his way back to the bench after sitting out the victory at Chelsea with a hip complaint.
Before his setback, Cunha had been enjoying excellent form for United, contributing four goals or assists in his previous six league outings.
United resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon, taking on Liverpool as they aim to edge closer to securing European qualification. A victory for the visitors, though, would narrow the deficit and draw them level on 61 points. With five Premier League clubs securing Champions League football this season, United can only be pipped to a place by Brighton or Bournemouth, who occupy sixth and seventh respectively.
Carrick's men would need to drop every remaining match for Bournemouth to harbour any realistic hope, with Andoni Iraola's outfit still requiring four victories from their own remaining fixtures. A single further United win would guarantee Brighton can no longer reel them in, with the south-coast club only capable of reaching 62 points. Similarly, two draws would be sufficient to put United beyond reach on 63 points.