Manchester United have been dealt a major setback ahead of this weekend’s Premier League showdown against rivals Manchester City, as forward Matheus Cunha has been ruled out with injury.
Cunha sustained a hamstring injury during United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Burnley prior to the international break. Manager Ruben Amorim confirmed through the club’s official website that the Brazilian will not be fit to feature in Sunday’s highly anticipated derby clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Amorim explained:
“They are out for this game, I don’t know how long it’s going to take. We need these guys to be a competitive team.
We have very good players, who are eager to play, so we will be competitive on Sunday. But they are out.
If you talk to Cunha outside, he will say he can play this game. They are pushing really hard.”
The news comes as a blow for the Red Devils, who rely heavily on Cunha’s attacking presence. Despite his absence, Amorim insists his squad remains ready and motivated to put up a fight against Pep Guardiola’s in-form City side.
The Manchester Derby is always one of the most watched fixtures in world football, and while United will miss their striker, the stage is set for an intense battle between the two city giants.