Michael Carrick must adapt after Matheus Cunha withdraws with a sore hip flexor, amid training progress, team-leak concerns and scrutiny over United's managerial future
Manchester United have been navigating a compact mix of fitness updates and off-field chatter as they prepare to host Liverpool. Manager Michael Carrick addressed the squad list and confirmed that Matheus Cunha will not be included after failing to recover from a hip flexor complaint that flared up following the Chelsea game.
Carrick described the issue as minor, stressing it was not serious, but said the player simply had not recovered quickly enough to feature.
The club reported that Cunha rejoined group sessions on Thursday as preparations intensified for the Old Trafford fixture, but the forward will sit out.
The official team sheet for the Liverpool match will be revealed at 2.15pm BST on Sunday ahead of the 3.30pm kick-off, with United’s qualification status for European competition potentially settled by other results earlier in the day.
How the injury and training update affect selection
Cunha’s absence changes Carrick’s immediate options on the flanks and in attack. The manager explained that the player “had a bit of a sore hip flexor” after the Chelsea win and, while he showed promise in practice, the recovery timeline was too short for selection. The club emphasised that the problem is not serious, but fitness niggles at this stage of the season can still influence tactical planning and squad rotation. In this context training involvement can be as important as match fitness when managers finalise their teams.
Role versatility and Cunha’s adaptation
Cunha has publicly discussed his willingness to operate wider on the pitch when needed, insisting he can perform outside as well as centrally. He told reporters he has worked on dribbling and one-on-one play to adapt to a wing role, even though much of his recent club career featured central positions. That flexibility matters to Carrick as he balances immediate matchday needs with long-term squad shape: a forward who can shift across the front line provides tactical cover when minutes are scarce.
Off-field issues: leaks, hierarchy and managerial pressure
The fitness update did not occur in a vacuum. Manchester United are also dealing with another round of leaked team information ahead of matchday, a problem that has recurred under several managers. Club sources reportedly launched an inquiry to identify how lineups and availability details reached the media prematurely. These team leaks are often read as symptoms of broader dressing-room friction and are costly for any coach trying to control messaging and preparation.
What leaks say about the club
Leaks have persisted through recent regimes, and observers note they are not solely a reflection of the current caretaker’s authority. Even during high-profile tenures, tactical and personnel information filtered out, suggesting a structural challenge rather than an individual failing. Still, every episode attracts scrutiny of the acting leadership, and Carrick’s stewardship is under particularly close attention given the club’s ownership and recruitment ambitions.
Managerial context: Carrick’s record and the boardroom view
On the touchline, Carrick has overseen an encouraging run: he has won eight and drawn two of his 12 matches in charge, numbers that have pushed United back toward the top of the table and into contention for Champions League football. That progress has fuelled debate about a permanent appointment. Carrick met with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Carrington for a brief conversation and a cup of tea, an exchange the caretaker described as supportive while the board evaluates long-term plans.
Outside names and internal preference
Reports have linked other candidates with the job, reflecting the board’s desire for a profile aligned with Old Trafford’s demands. While Carrick is currently prominent in internal discussions, rumours about alternative options persist. For now, the club’s immediate priority remains on-field: securing a favourable league finish. Depending on results involving Brighton and Bournemouth earlier on Sunday, Manchester United might already have clinched a return to the Champions League before the Liverpool game; if not, a win at Old Trafford would confirm a top-five finish and relieve some of the managerial pressure.
Ultimately, the combination of a minor but timely injury, persistent information leaks and the wider conversation about permanent leadership frames this weekend as more than just another fixture. Small details — a player’s recovery, a training session, a public update — can ripple into major consequences for selection, tactics and the club’s trajectory.
