Manchester United injury update: Matheus Cunha, Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Two players set for spell on the sidelines as Liverpool bout looms

Manchester United secured a huge three points en route to qualifying for the Champions League on Monday night as they beat Brentford 2-1, but there was plenty of negative fitness news to keep them grounded at full-time.

While Patrick Dorgu featured in a matchday squad for the first time since January and Leny Yoro shook off an injury to feature as a second-half substitute, Michael Carrick picked up two fresh concerns.

Matheus Cunha missed out on the squad with a new issue, while Luke Shaw was forced off in the second half.

Another big match on the road to Europe awaits next weekend as Liverpool prepare to visit Old Trafford, and Carrick will hope to have as many players at his disposal as possible.

With that in mind, here is all the latest Manchester United injury news and potential return dates...

Matheus Cunha was a surprise absentee from the teamsheet to face Brentford, given the Brazilian has been a near ever-present this season under both Michael Carrick and Ruben Amorim.

He played close to the full duration of the victory over Chelsea after scoring the winner, but Carrick revealed ahead of kick-off that he had picked up a minor hip flexor injury in doing so.

The United interim boss explained: “(Cunha) just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game the other day. He was looking promising during the week, so we thought he might have been OK, but he just didn’t quite recover quick enough.

“It is nothing too serious, but unfortunately, he doesn’t make it tonight.”

Cunha will hope to return in time to face Liverpool next weekend.

Potential return date: May 3 vs Liverpool (H)

Sidelined: Matheus Cunha

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Luke Shaw

The earlier years of Luke Shaw’s career were defined by injury, but he has enjoyed a sustained run of fitness this campaign, playing 34 matches so far.

But he could not complete the full ninety minutes against Brentford after going down off the ball and hobbling off in the second half.

Carrick did not issue an update on the full-back’s condition at full-time, with further clarity expected later this week.

Matthijs de Ligt has endured a hugely frustrating season, defined almost entirely by a lower-back injury which has kept him sidelined since November.

He suffered multiple setbacks in his recovery but is finally closing in on a return to play.

The Dutchman was pictured in training this week, sharing pictures to his Instagram with the caption: "Working hard, getting closer".

Back on the grass: Matthijs de Ligt

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Speaking earlier this month, Carrick said of his rehabilitation: “It's different treatment and different exercises. He's in the gym and doing work but he's not quite on the grass and he's not ready for that yet.

“That's the process that unfortunately when you're injured you’ve to go through. Sometimes it happens quick quicker than others and sometimes there's things that don't quite go to plan and it's a bit slower.

“He's just at that stage where he's working through that at the moment and we're trying to get him back right.”

It remains unclear whether he will be able to play competitive football before the end of the season, with his hopes of representing the Netherlands at the World Cup dwindling fast.