Manchester United squad update: Matheus Cunha fit to play against West Ham

Manchester United’s Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha is fit to play in Thursday’s Premier League match against West Ham United at Old Trafford, manager Ruben Amorim said.

He also mentioned but declined to name two injury doubts that could affect his tactical approach, while defender Harry Maguire and striker Benjamin Sesko remain sidelined.

“We have two doubts about the match, but I am not going to tell them today,” Amorim said on Wednesday.

«It will change the way we approach it, let’s see if they can play. The rest of the squad is good. Matheus is back. Harry and Sesko are still out.»

The return of the dynamic Cunha, who missed two games with a head injury, is a big boost for Manchester United, who sit in seventh place, three points off the top four.

Cunha, 26, is clearly excited to be back, posting a photo of himself on social media in full training gear at Carrington and writing: «Back back back.»

CUNHA CAN REACH HIGHER LEVELS AT UNITED

Amorim said United fans had yet to see the best of the forward, one of the team’s most important signings at the end of the season.

«He has more levels to go. He is at a different club, with different pressure. He had a hard time because he didn’t score and because of abuse on social media. He thought too much about the numbers, but the influence he has in the team is important for us,» Amorim said.

«I think he can still grow a lot both offensively and defensively.»

United’s French defender Leny Yoro conceded a penalty in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend and was substituted after 53 minutes.

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He looked disconsolate on the bench, but Amorim believes the 20-year-old should stop beating himself up after mistakes.

“I also talked to him because he thinks too much, he makes a mistake and then he struggles,” Amorim said. «He wants to do everything so well. He is growing, with competitions and with setbacks, it is not easy for him as a young guy.»

«He can’t show that to people the way he came on the bench, he knows that. It shows he cares, he knows it wasn’t his best game. He’s fit and ready for the next challenge.»

Amorim received some good news with FIFA’s announcement that the release window for players heading to this month’s Africa Cup of Nations has been reduced from fourteen days before a team’s first match to seven.

That means Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), whose countries play on December 24, should be free for United’s home match against Bournemouth on December 15.

Published on December 3, 2025