Manchester United play host to bitter rivals in Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, but a number of first-team players on both sides will miss the Premier League clash of giants
Manchester United are hopeful Matheus Cunha can return to face Liverpool
Manchester United are hopeful Matheus Cunha can return to face Liverpool
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Up to 10 players on could miss Manchester United's Premier League clash with Liverpool this weekend. The pair of bitter rivals are set to meet at Old Trafford at 3.30pm on Sunday, as Michael Carrick and Arne Slot look to one up their respective neighbours.
More than just north-western bragging rights on the line, it comes as both clubs look to secure Champions League qualification for 2026/27. While both United and Liverpool would hope to have full strength squads available for selection, a number of key players on both sides of the pitch will miss out.
Carrick issued an injury update during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, in which he spoke about Matheus Cunha and Matthijs de Light in particular. The Englishman said: "We're in good shape really.
"Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we're hopeful. We're not sure but we're hopeful. Obviously, Mat is still a little bit further - he's not involved in the game. But other than that, we're in good shape."
Carrick also seemed to have skipped over matters when asked about Luke Shaw alongside those two, indicating that the full-back could be available for selection. However, Lisandro Martinez will definitely play no part in the encounter.
The Argentine centre-half is currently serving a three-match ban for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during the Reds' clash with Leeds United last month, and is ruled out until next week's game against Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light as a result.
Liverpool will also be without a number of major players for the match, with Slot issuing an update on player fitness during his own press conference. The Dutchman said of Mohamed Salah, who sustained a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last weekend: "As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back. He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season."
He added: "It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it's great news."
Alisson will also miss the encounter as a result of his own respective injury, having not trained with his club just yet. Slot added: "Alisson hasn't trained with us yet, I will find out today if he can today or start of next week. Very close but we don't take risks.
"We don't want to do that with any player. There's a difference between a keeper and a player, they need to run more. So if the issue with an outfield player is when they are out it is the fitness levels, so there is a different issue with goalkeepers."
Michael Carrick speaks during a press conference
Michael Carrick has spoken about player fitness(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Elsewhere, back-up goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, will also miss the match after sustaining a knee injury against Everton last month. Slot said ahead of Liverpool's game against Palace: "No, Giorgi will definitely not be available tomorrow, and not for the upcoming weeks," instead deploying Freddie Woodman.
Conor Bradley is unlikely to feature for the club again this season after picking up a knee injury against Arsenal in January, while Wataru Endo faces a similar stint on the sidelines after he was stretchered off against Sunderland the following month with an ankle issue.
Hugo Ekitike could also face up to eight months waiting in the wings after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month, while Giovanni Leoni is yet to represent the club after picking up an ACL injury on his debut in September.