Manchester United handed new boost after shock selection decision confirmed

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Evening Standard

·10 September 2026

Manchester United handed new boost after shock selection decision confirmed

One of Michael Carrick’s key stars will not be travelling on international duty

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has been handed a recall to the Brazil squad after his shock World Cup snub, but there is no place for Matheus Cunha in an apparent boost to Manchester United.

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Joao Pedro was arguably the biggest omission made by Selecao head coach Carlo Ancelotti for the tournament in North America earlier this summer, where his side were stunned by Erling Haaland and Norway in the last 16.

The former Watford and Brighton star was not selected despite a sensational debut campaign at Chelsea that saw him score 20 goals and register nine assists in 50 total appearances across all competitions, winning the club’s player of the season award.

Ancelotti instead opted for a divisive return for Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer who had not played for his country since October 2023 due to a serious knee injury.

It was a controversial decision that did not work out, with Neymar struggling with injury again and playing a limited role as Brazil were condemned to their earliest World Cup exit since 1990.

He subsequently confirmed his retirement from international football after notching 80 times in 130 senior caps.

Brazil return to action for the first time since the World Cup with a pair of friendlies in Australia later this month, before they travel to meet India in Kolkata.

Snubbed: Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha is not in the latest Brazil squad

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Joao Pedro’s return was the biggest headline as Ancelotti named a 26-man squad for those matches, with the 24-year-old having started the new season well and scored twice already as part of a potent Chelsea attack alongside Cole Palmer and club-record signing Morgan Rogers.

However, there has been surprise over the omission of fellow attacker Cunha, who went to the World Cup - scoring three times during the group stage - and has started all three of Manchester United’s Premier League games so far this term.

Cunha’s Manchester United team-mate Andrey Santos is recalled after missing the World Cup and despite only starting once for his new club so far after a £50million summer switch from Chelsea.

Chelsea’s Estevao is also back after being ruled out of the World Cup with a hamstring injury, while Bruno Guimaraes is fit to be included alongside Arsenal team-mate Gabriel after returning from a groin issue.

However, there is no place for either Gabriel Martinelli or Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, with the goalkeeping ranks completely overhauled as Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco and Otavio all earn call-ups instead.