Neville: Man Utd star now at risk of being dropped for the fourth time under Carrick amid ‘creative drought’

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Stretty News

·29 April 2026

Neville: Man Utd star now at risk of being dropped for the fourth time under Carrick amid ‘creative drought’

Gary Neville believes Amad Diallo will drop to the bench for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool so long as Matheus Cunha is available.

Cunha missed out entirely in the win over Brentford due to a minor groin injury, having been Manchester United’s only goalscorer in their 1-0 Stamford Bridge triumph a week prior.

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Cunha tipped to replace Amad for Liverpool visit

It’s anticipated he will make his return for the upcoming encounter at home to arch-rivals Liverpool, meaning one Red will be sacrificed to make way for the in-form Brazilian.

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If it were up to Neville, he’d withdraw Amad from the starting XI in place of Cunha.

The 23-year-old is undergoing something of a ‘creative drought’ in recent months, to the point Michael Carrick hooked him from the action on Monday night after only 45 minutes.

Good piece from @cmckennasport on Amad Diallo's creative drought in recent matches. The Ivorian hasn't looked the same since returning from AFCON. Here's hoping for a strong end to the season.
– Jumat, 24 April 2026

In that time, Amad squandered two big chances, one of which would’ve seen Kobbie Mainoo record the Assist of the Season following a scintillating run.

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What Neville had to say about Amad and Cunha

“If Cunha is fit, I think he will go with Cunha and Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and [Benjamin] Sesko. I think he’ll go with that four, and I’m not sure Amad will play,” said Neville when previewing matchweek 35 on Sky Sports.

“But I think you’ll see a more cautious, tighter, more compact, more defensively focused Manchester United than you saw in that first half tonight.”

Amad’s record under Carrick thus far

The fixture will also likely see Patrick Dorgu feature in some form; he made the matchday squad this week for the first time since January 25 when he sustained his hamstring injury, but was an unused substitute on the night.