Rúben Amorim has confirmed the latest on Manchester United’s injury news against West Ham as Matheus Cunha returns to the squad.
Manchester United’s recent improvement was encapsulated by their 2–1 victory away to Crystal Palace. A flat first-half performance saw Rúben Amorim’s side head into the break behind, but flashes of quality from Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes inspired a second-half comeback.
The win ended a lengthy wait for a league success in London against non-Fulham opposition, with their last such victory coming in January 2022. United now return to Old Trafford to face West Ham on Thursday evening.
As United continue to look upward toward the Champions League places, West Ham find themselves battling at the other end of the table. The Hammers are level on points with 18th-placed Leeds United and sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
Amorim will be hoping the response against Palace can help put the Everton setback firmly behind them and lay the groundwork for a positive run of form as the festive schedule begins.
Cunha returns to the squad after head injury
While new signing Matheus Cunha has only scored one goal for United this season, he’s been instrumental in some of the club’s best performances, such as against Liverpool and Brighton.
Unfortunately for Amorim, the Brazilian was almost knocked out in training two weeks ago, meaning concussion protocol had to kick in, and he missed the loss to Everton and the win over Palace.
However, the club confirmed on Wednesday morning that the 26-year-old has returned to team training, with Amorim stating that he is ready to play.
Speaking further on Cunha, the United boss said: “He has more levels to go. He’s at a different club, different pressure. He was struggling because he was not scoring, he was thinking too much about the numbers but the influence he has in the team is important to us.”
United missing two further players vs West Ham
Although Cunha has returned to duty, Amorim is still expected to be without either Harry Maguire or Benjamin Šeško for the Thursday evening fixture.
Maguire suffered a hamstring injury against Tottenham early last month and had to be substituted, with Šeško sustaining a knee issue in the same game.
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Amorim also stated that there are two injury doubts for the game, but did not divulge who. “We have two doubts for the game, I will not tell you today, because it will change the way we approach,” he said.
“Let’s see if they can play tomorrow. Matheus is back, but I have two players who might not play. Harry and Sesko are still out.”
However, Zirkzee’s encouraging second-half performance against Palace will leave fans feeling less anxious about missing the Slovenian striker, giving the 22-year-old time and space to return later this month.
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