Matheus Cunha was named on the bench against Sunderland and might have to wait to return to Man Utd’s starting team.
Steven is a senior writer and covers Manchester United for the Manchester Evening News. You can follow Steven on Twitter at @StevenRailston.
Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
“We’ve gone through ups and downs, but we’re together. And we’ll continue to be together with the manager, with the staff, to continue moving forward,” said Mason Mount after winning against Sunderland.
“For us, it’s just focusing on what the manager wants and that’s in training. And then when it comes to the games, doing exactly what he asked for. And I think, as you see today, we stuck to the job in hand.
“Everyone did their roles and responsibilities and it was a good performance. I think in the second half it got a bit cagey and there were times where we had to defend. We had to put the body on the line.”
Some fans have joked Mount is the teacher’s pet at Manchester United, but he wasn’t picked to start in a must-win game against Sunderland because he gets along with Amorim.
Mount started because of the quality, pressing and energy he brings to the team, and he admitted during his post-match chat that he considers himself the “catalyst” for the press.
The 26-year-old vindicated his selection just eight minutes into the game when he finished brilliantly at the Stretford End and he might have done enough to retain his starting role against Liverpool.
Mount started against Sunderland at the expense of Matheus Cunha, who might have to settle for a role off the bench again at Anfield when United make the trip to Merseyside on Sunday.
Cunha hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining from Wolves in the summer. The Brazilian is yet to score or assist, but his all-round performances have been strong down the left flank.
He was unfortunate not to get off the mark against Fulham at Craven Cottage (Cunha hit the post and was also denied at point-blank range) and it feels like only a matter of time before he breaks his duck.
However, it feels like Amorim will start Mount on the left side in the No.10 role against Liverpool because his work ethic will be hugely beneficial against the Premier League champions in their own backyard.
Mount was excellent against Sunderland.(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Cunha has improved that aspect of his game – Wolves’ coaches challenged him to improve when not in possession – but he isn’t known for working tirelessly backwards and forwards.
That’s not to say Cunha doesn’t work hard. He has demonstrated his willingness to work his socks off since signing for United, but Mount may be seen as the better option for Anfield.
United is such a big club that rotating a player for tactical reasons can feel like a story – especially if that player is a relatively new signing and was signed for a multi-million-pound fee.
The truth is Manchester City and Liverpool have dominated the Premier League due to their strength in depth. They regularly rotate players and there is no hysterical reaction when a player is benched.
It won’t be a big deal if Cunha is named on the bench again this weekend, it would merely be a selection decision made by Amorim to give United the best chance of leaving Anfield with a positive result.
Liverpool are likely to dominate the ball on Sunday afternoon. United will have to work meticulously out of possession, press efficiently and players will have to win their individual battles.
United last won at Anfield in 2016 when Louis van Gaal was in charge and the bookmakers have made Liverpool heavy favourites to win the fixture, but the contest should be closer than the odds suggest.