MANCHESTER UNITED are hopeful that Matheus Cunha will recover quickly from his hamstring tug in time for the derby at City.
There’s a feeling at the club that Cunha’s injury is not as bad as initially feared.
The 26-year-old forward pulled out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers after hobbling off early during United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Burnley last Saturday.
But the £62.5million signing from Wolves walked out of Old Trafford freely that night and later provided a positive update.
He wrote on Instagram: “What an incredible environment, it’s great to be here. I’ll be back soon, always with joy and gratitude. Thanks for all the messages.”
Meanwhile, Mason Mount’s undisclosed injury could see Kobbie Mainoo be handed his first Premier League start of the season at the Etihad on September 14.
Mount played for 30 minutes with an injury against Burnley before being substituted for Mainoo at half-time.
MBEUMO X SESKO
Bryan Mbeumo continued his strong form for Cameroon this week – and it could pay off for Benjamin Sesko.
In an eventful start to life at Old Trafford, Mbeumo has already scored two goals in four appearances, although he did miss a decisive spot-kick in the horror Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby.
But his two quick assists from crosses helped Cameroon to a 3-0 win over Eswatini on Thursday.
United finally have a forward who can deliver a quality cross amid last season’s creative issues, which could help new No.9 Sesko in his search for his first goal.
Standing at 6ft 4, Sesko’s stature allows him to play the role of a targetman, holding the ball up, bringing team-mates into play and providing an outlet for long passes, crosses and set-piece deliveries.
Meanwhile, SunSport exclusively revealed that United are open to selling Andre Onana with the transfer windows in Saudi Arabia and Turkey still open this month.
And Onana kept a clean sheet in his 90 minutes for Cameroon, a vital confidence boost for him after his nightmare at Blundell Park.
CRUNCH TALKS UPDATE
Ruben Amorim’s showdown talks have gone quiet during the international break.
The Portuguese boss was expected to hold talks on his United future during the two-week international break after publicly doubting his ability to stop the club falling into a full-blown crisis after Grimsby.
But there’s been no mention of any meetings with United’s hierarchy after Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage time penalty against Burnley secured the club’s first win of the season.
Despite Amorim himself casting doubt on his job, the club was never expected to sack a manager they had invested so much time into luring from Sporting Lisbon.
Instead, Amorim is exploring the option of taking his players on overseas bonding trips during the season amid gaps in their schedule.
United’s reduced fixture schedule means they face just one midweek game before Christmas – a home match against West Ham on December 3.
MAJOR RECORD AT RISK
Old Trafford’s astonishing 75-year streak of having a player in every England World Cup squad is in serious jeopardy.
The Red Devils hold the unique record of being the only club to have a player called up to every England squad for the World Cup since the nation’s first appearance in 1950.
Bobby Charlton was called up for the 1958 World Cup but did not feature in the finals after surviving the tragic Munich Air Disaster earlier that year, while England didn’t qualify for the 1974, 1978 and 1994 tournaments.
Fast forward, and Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Mainoo and Mount have all missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s current camp for games against Andorra and Serbia this month.
United loanee Marcus Rashford was recalled by the former Chelsea boss, but the winger is hoping that Barcelona trigger their option to buy him next summer.
Mainoo, 20, wanted to go out on loan to get playing time to grab Tuchel’s attention in a congested England midfield, while Shaw now has plenty of competition at full-back.
Maguire, who is struggling for Premier League game time, was overlooked again when John Stones pulled out through injury on Friday, with Jarell Quansah called in to replace the Man City star.
To make matters worse, not a single United youngster has been called up to Lee Carsley’s Under-21 squad, which is a worrying sign for the future.
CASE IS MADE
Casemiro appears to be Brazil’s first-choice midfielder, which is remarkable given the stick he gets in the Prem.
The 32-year-old rejected chances to leave United this summer, believing he has the best platform to play a part for his country at the 2026 World Cup.
And he got the nod to start Brazil’s 3-0 qualifying win over Chile in the early hours of Friday morning.
He is in a strong position when it comes to getting on the plane to the USA next summer, with boss Carlo Ancelotti a huge fan of his former midfield general at Real Madrid.
The United star had an early header ruled out for offside before avoiding a possible red card for landing his foot on Vicente Pizarro’s calf late in the first half.
LEGEND RETURNS
Nani will make his debut for the Manchester United Legends squad this Saturday when they face the Celtic Legends in Glasgow.
Bryan Robson is in charge of the side and he can call upon Nani for the first time.
The popular former Portugal international recently retired after a distinguished career ended with a spell at Estrela da Amadora.
A four-time Premier League winner, he is sure to add plenty of flair in attacking positions like he did at Soccer Aid a few years ago.
Mikael Silvestre, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha and Dimitar Berbatov are also among those taking part.
NEVER IGNORED
In the space of a week, three former United managers were dismissed from their jobs.
Hours after Besiktas failed to qualify for the Conference League proper, having already been dumped out of the Europa League, the Turkish outfit sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after just eight months in charge.
The following morning Fenerbahce sacked Jose Mourinho – just two days after their Champions League elimination by Benfica in Lisbon.
Remarkably, the last three permanent United managers are now out of work, with Erik ten Hag having been dismissed by Bayer Leverkusen after two months in charge on Monday.
All the while, speculation swirled around Amorim’s position as the current boss.
Mourinho was a name floated around to come back if Amorim walks, but fans outside Old Trafford before Burnley’s visit were adamantly against it.
One told SunSport: “While we’re at it, bring back Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.”
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