Man Utd will take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend and fans are hopeful for positive injury news.
United play Crystal Palace on Sunday.(Image: Getty Images)
There was a bizarre situation last weekend when Matheus Cunha was forced to miss an appearance to switch on Christmas lights in Altrincham. The organisers of the event posted on social media to say Cunha had pulled out due to “medical reasons.”
Manchester United sources confirmed Cunha had suffered a knock in training. The issue was described as minor, but it was serious enough for him miss the Everton game on Monday. Amorim was asked to clarify the situation ahead of the clash with the Toffees, telling MUTV: “It was a knock in training so I don’t know how long he’s going to stay out, I think it’s nothing serious.”
In a separate interview with NBC, Amorim said: “Let’s recover Cunha, and we’ll see if he will be ready for the next game.” The Reds are next in action against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and the expectation is that Cunha will return to the squad, which is a boost after a shocking defeat against Everton.
Everton had 10 men on the pitch for 77 minutes and United could not score. They struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and the few chances that were carved out landed to Zirkzee in the box. Zirkzee is not good enough to be starting for United in the Premier League, and fans will be desperately hoping for a positive update on Cunha ahead of this weekend.
Palace have the second-best defensive record in the top flight this season, with only Arsenal conceding fewer goals (six) than Oliver Glasner’s side (9), who are sitting fifth in the table. Glasner has done a magnificent job since his appointment in Croydon. Palace will be hard to break down on Sunday, and Cunha has the quality to create chances or find the back of the net himself.
Cunha was absent against Everton.(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
It would be a boost for Harry Maguire to return to the squad, which will depend on whether the England international has recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered before the international break.
Everton dominated aerial duels at Old Trafford earlier in the week and Maguire’s presence at the back was missed. If Maguire passes a fitness test this week, he should come into the starting team for Leny Yoro.
Yoro struggled against Everton. He was culpable in the build-up to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goal from the edge of the box, failing to commit to the challenge, which allowed the Everton man to shoot.
Maguire would have played himself back into the England squad by now if not for picking up a few minor injuries, and Amorim will give an update on his recovery at his press conference on Friday afternoon.
The potential returns of Cunha and Maguire feel crucial for Amorim to pick his strongest possible XI this weekend. United started November with draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, and fingers will be pointed at Amorim again if they end the month with back-to-back defeats.
Amorim was named Premier League manager of the month for October and November was an opportunity to build further momentum ahead of the winter schedule, so the Palace clash is another big fixture.
Mason Mount deserves a recall to the team and Diogo Dalot will likely start in the left wing-back role because Patrick Dorgu had another performance to forget against Everton. Dalot and Dorgu have both been unconvincing on the left this season and United need a new signing for that position.
Strongest XI to face Palace: Lammens, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Amad, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Mount, Cunha.
How United could line up if Maguire and Cunha return.