Cunha has been ruled out of Manchester United’s critical Premier League fixture against Brentford this evening after failing to recover from a hip injury sustained during the club’s recent victory over Chelsea.
The Brazilian forward’s absence was confirmed after he failed to arrive at Old Trafford with the first-team squad. Manager Michael Carrick later verified that the attacker is struggling with a hip flexor issue, dealing a significant blow to United’s aspirations of consolidating third place in the Premier League standings.
“He had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game,” Carrick told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off. “He was looking promising during the week, so we thought he might have been okay, but he just didn’t quite recover quick enough. It is nothing too serious, but unfortunately, he doesn’t make it tonight.”
The injury comes at a precarious time for the Red Devils. While a win tonight would strengthen their grip on a Champions League qualification spot, a loss could allow Brentford to climb as high as sixth. The stakes are heightened by a looming North-West derby against Liverpool this Sunday, a match that carries massive implications for the title race and the final top-four configuration.
Cunha, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, has become a pivotal figure in Carrick’s tactical setup. He has registered eight goals and two assists in 30 league appearances this season, including the winning strike at Stamford Bridge last week. Medical staff now face a race against time to ensure the forward is fit for the high-stakes visit of Liverpool.
Despite the setback in attack, United’s defensive options have seen a timely boost. The club welcomed two key figures back to the matchday squad:
Patrick Dorgu: Rejoined the team after a successful recovery from a recent injury spell.
The inclusion of Maguire and Dorgu provides much-needed depth as United enters a defining week of their campaign. However, the focus remains on the “minor” nature of Cunha’s injury, with supporters hoping the club’s leading creative outlet avoids a prolonged spell on the sidelines during the season’s final stretch.