Michael Carrick has issued the latest on his Manchester United squad, including an update on Matheus Cunha as they prepare to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United have rediscovered their momentum with consecutive wins over Chelsea and Brentford, two sides currently battling for European qualification.
Up next for Michael Carrick's Reds is a meeting with Liverpool, who are fourth in the table and sit just three points behind United in third.
Although both teams appear well placed to secure top-five finishes and book their spots in next season's Champions League, there will still be no shortage of significance when these fierce rivals meet at Old Trafford.
Carrick's side also have the opportunity to complete a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2025/26, having already beaten the Merseyside club 2-1 at Anfield in October.
Carrick issues Cunha update
It was winger Matheus Cunha who notched the winning goal against Chelsea two weeks ago to secure the club's first win at Stamford Bridge in six seasons, so it was a blow to see the Brazilian unavailable against Brentford due to injury.
Cunha had to watch from the stands as goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Šeško secured three points for the Reds against Brentford, although good news arose on Thursday when the club confirmed he had returned to training.
On Friday afternoon, Carrick held his usual pre-match press conference ahead of the Liverpool tie on Sunday afternoon, and he was asked for an update on the squad's injuries.
“Matheus has done a little bit of work. We’re hopeful [he'll be involved], but not sure," Carrick said.
On the rest of the squad, he continued, "Matta [De Ligt] is still a bit further and not involved in the game but other than that we’re in good shape.”
A decision to be made vs Sunderland
Once the Liverpool tie is done and dusted, regardless of the result, a positive that will come from it is that Lisandro Martínez will emerge back in contention after serving a three-game ban after he was deemed to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair last month.
However, with Ayden Heaven having stepped up brilliantly in his absence and Harry Maguire a key part of the side, who starts at centre-back against Sunderland becomes a key debate.
Heaven has stepped up to cover for injuries and suspensions on multiple occasions this season, performing admirably every time, and it would feel harsh to relegate him back to the bench, particularly if he plays well against Liverpool.
If United do defeat Arne Slot's men, Champions League qualification would be confirmed, and risking playing Martínez, who can be prone to injury, may not be a sensible idea ahead of the World Cup and next season.