Man United Star Drops Injury Update Ahead of Man City Clash | OneFootball

Manchester United Injury Update on Matheus Cunha Ahead of City Clash

Concerns Over Cunha’s Fitness

Manchester United are waiting anxiously for clarity on the fitness of Matheus Cunha as the derby with Manchester City draws closer. The £62.5 million summer signing was forced off with a hamstring issue during the first half of United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Burnley in the Premier League.

His injury immediately raised concerns, particularly with a demanding run of fixtures that includes meetings with City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. Cunha withdrew from Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, while United manager Ruben Amorim admitted after the Burnley match that he was “concerned” about both Cunha and Mason Mount, who also came off with an injury.

Optimism Surrounding Recovery

Early signs suggested the situation might not be as bleak as first feared. Cunha himself posted on Instagram earlier this week, telling fans he would be “back soon,” sparking optimism that his absence could be short-lived. That hope grew stronger when further reports indicated United believed the problem was not as serious as initially thought.

On Saturday, Cunha appeared to provide another update of sorts, sharing an image on his Instagram story of himself training on an exercise bike with the caption: “The time is flying.” For supporters, the post hinted at steady progress in his rehabilitation and raised the possibility of an earlier-than-expected return.

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Mount and Dalot Add to Concerns

While attention remains fixed on Cunha, questions still surround Mason Mount’s availability. The midfielder was substituted at half-time against Burnley with an unspecified problem, and there has been little clarity on whether he will feature in the upcoming derby. Amorim has remained cautious in his assessment, preferring to wait until medical checks provide more certainty.

Adding to the list of setbacks, Diogo Dalot withdrew from international duty with Portugal due to a muscle issue. United are already contending with the long-term absence of Lisandro Martinez, making the defensive situation even more complicated as they prepare for their biggest fixtures of the season so far.

United’s Form and City’s Woes

United’s season has been inconsistent, with just one victory across all competitions. Their Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby compounded frustration, and Amorim knows results in high-profile matches will define his early months in charge.

Yet, despite United’s difficulties, Manchester City have their own problems. Pep Guardiola’s team have suffered back-to-back league defeats against Tottenham and Brighton, while dealing with their own mounting injury list. Key players such as Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic, Savinho, and Rayan Cherki have all been sidelined, with John Stones also missing after withdrawing from England duty with a muscle issue.

The derby at the Etihad will therefore be shaped by which squad can manage its injury troubles more effectively. For United, the sight of Cunha working towards fitness offers encouragement. His pace, movement, and versatility have already made an impact since his move from Wolves, and his presence would add an important attacking dimension.