Michael Carrick could have to face a reenergised Liverpool side at Old Trafford without a key player, as the Manchester United ace in question was absent during United’s 2-1 win over Brentford in the Premier League on Monday.
The Premier League finish line is in sight, and for Liverpool, the path is paved with obstacles. After a season defined by unpredictable swings in form, a newfound resilience has taken hold at Anfield.
Recent hard-fought victories against Everton and Crystal Palace haven’t just added points to the board; they’ve proven that this squad has the stomach for the fight as they enter a brutal closing stretch.
Indeed, in the Merseyside Derby, Arne Slot’s men were pushed all the way by a determined Everton effort, with the hotly-contested game looking as if it was going to end in a 1-1 draw.
Virgil Van Dijk had other ideas, though, as he headed home Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner kick delivery, with the match heading into the 100th minute mark.
Alongside just about beating their arch rivals 2-1, Liverpool also got one over on Crystal Palace, who have been a notorious bogey side, as of late, with a 3-1 victory secured at Anfield on Saturday.
This was the case despite widespread injury issues, meaning third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had to start the encounter, with the ex-Preston North End stopper arguably putting in a man-of-the-match-worthy performance, come the end of the intense showdown.
Up next on the fixture list, with Liverpool needing just five points now to confirm their place in the Champions League for next season, is a match-up with one of their most bitter foes in Manchester United.
Unfortunately for Slot, he isn’t facing the struggling United side of old. Under Michael Carrick’s clinical leadership, the Red Devils have shed the inconsistency of the Amorim era. Now sitting comfortably in third, this disciplined United side represents one of the toughest hurdles remaining in Liverpool’s frantic end-of-season run.
Liverpool can leapfrog their rivals from Manchester with a win this coming Sunday, and United will be tested, as Matheus Cunha could well be ruled out, having had to sit out the Monday night win versus Brentford.
Why losing Cunha would be a blow for Man Utd
Much like Liverpool splashed the cash in the summer to obtain some flashy new attackers in the form of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the Red Devils put their money where their mouth is by landing Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
£62.5m was the precise amount that was forked out to land the exciting Brazilian, and he has proven to be an instant hit among his new, often impatient fanbase, with eight goals and four assists next to his name from 32 total appearances.
Matheus Cunha’s absence was a clear source of irritation for Carrick during the recent Monday 2-1 victory against Brentford. The playmaker sat out training last week with a sore hip flexor, leaving him unavailable for the visit of Keith Andrews’ men.
Now, all eyes are on the medical room. United are sweating on his fitness, hoping their talismanic attacker can lead the line for the high-stakes showdown with Liverpool.
Carrick offered this update on the 26-year-old’s unwanted situation to Sky Sports, before the Brentford game kicked off: “He just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game.
“It looked promising in the week but he didn’t recover in time, as hoped.
“It’s nothing too serious but, unfortunately, he misses out tonight.”
Liverpool have a litany of injury issues themselves, with Mohamed Salah definitely ruled out of this showdown at Old Trafford, owing to a hamstring knock sustained versus Palace.
Therefore, the Reds will be praying for any advantage they can get, heading into a clash that will be difficult.
Matheus Cunha vs. Liverpool: Career Stats:
| Competition | Apps | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Premier League | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Champions League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
Despite his importance to United’s attack, Cunha’s historic return against Liverpool is surprisingly slim. His solitary career goal against the Reds came during his time at Wolves, where he netted a consolation strike in a 2−1 defeat at Anfield last season.
Hopefully, for Liverpool’s sake, the 21-time Brazil international doesn’t feature, as he will surely be determined to add to his tally for the season, in helping Carrick’s side overcome their Merseyside adversaries.
