Rúben Amorim has issued the latest on Matheus Cunha’s injury as Manchester United prepare to face Chelsea in a crunch Premier League fixture.
Manchester United welcome Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
United have endured a difficult opening to the season, collecting only four points from four matches. A stoppage-time victory over Burnley offered brief relief, but they remain 14th in the table – their worst start since the 1992/93 campaign.
Rúben Amorim’s men arrive on the back of a heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Despite showing promise early in both halves, United failed to create clear chances for their attack, leaving Benjamin Šeško frustrated up front. The pressure on Amorim continues to grow as a result.
The clash will also see Alejandro Garnacho return to Old Trafford for the first time since completing a £40 million move to Chelsea last month, following his exile from Amorim’s squad.
Amorim issues latest on Cunha
United have been without Maosn Mount and Matheus Cunha for the last few weeks, with both heading off injured again at Burnley after starting all Premier League fixtures they have been available for thus far this season.
The club have also not seen Lisandro Martínez since February after the defender suffered an ACL injury, and is expected to return toward the end of October.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Cunha had told those around him he would be ready to play against Chelsea after working with a personal trainer. On Friday afternoon, Amorim clarified the Brazilian’s situation.
“[Diogo] Dalot is out,” Amorim confirmed, before stating that “Mase [Mount] and Cunha are in the squad. Licha [Martinez] is still out, that is it.”
After failing to find a route out of United this summer, Amorim has also confirmed that Tyrell Malacia could return to he squad: “He is returning with contact with the ball with the Under-21s, then we will see,” the head coach explained.
Amorim cannot rely on injury returns to save him
United looked positive in pre-season and the club’s first fixture against Arsenal, and there is no doubt that the losses of Mount and particularly Cunha have hampered the side’s attacking prowess.
Read More: Enzo Maresca reveals Man Utd ‘danger’ he’s worried about as Alejandro Garnacho start hint dropped
However, with their returns to action imminent, Amorim cannot afford to rely on Mount and Cunha to alleviate the current pressure he’s under.
It’s been well-versed among fans, pundits, and anyone else on the outside looking into United that many of United’s root problems lie in the formation and instructions being handed to the Reds on the pitch.
To save his job and prove himself to both United’s owners and fans, he must demonstrate his ability to be flexible, adapt, and react to various scenarios, rather than adhering to the notion that ‘things will all work out’ at Old Trafford.
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