Amorim Drops Bombshell: Mystery Injury Cloud Hangs Over Man Utd Squad Ahead of West Ham Showdown
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is maintaining secrecy around the fitness status of two unnamed players before Thursday's Premier League encounter against West Ham United.
Matheus Cunha has rejoined training sessions, providing a significant boost for the upcoming match against the Hammers, though Harry Maguire and Benjamin Šeško remain sidelined. However, Amorim mentioned two additional players as "doubts" without revealing their identities. Bruno Fernandes has already been confirmed as available.
"We have two players whose availability is uncertain for the match," the Portuguese manager stated during Wednesday's press conference. "I won't reveal their names because it would alter our tactical approach. We'll assess whether they can participate," he said cryptically.
"The remaining squad members are in good condition. Matheus is ready. Harry Maguire and Šeško remain unavailable."
Cunha's fitness recovery proves crucial. The Brazilian forward, acquired for £62.5 million ($83.2 million) during the summer transfer window, has been absent from the previous two fixtures against Crystal Palace and Everton following a training injury that required concussion protocols. This also forced him to withdraw from a community engagement, where he was scheduled to illuminate Christmas lights in Altrincham, close to his residence in south Manchester.
Following 21 goals and assists in last season's Premier League campaign with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cunha has become integral to United's offensive transformation in 2025–26, partnering with Bryan Mbeumo. He netted his inaugural goal for the club during October's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, while the team has scored 20 goals collectively across his most recent eight Premier League outings.
Amorim 'Modifying' Man Utd's Tactical Approach Against West Ham
Amorim's commitment to "modify the approach" for this encounter represents an intriguing development, indicating potential tactical adjustments that have sparked debate throughout the past year.
This isn't his first such statement, as he previously dismissed suggestions of being "obsessed" with a single tactical philosophy and unwilling to evolve, during a DAZN Portugal interview published after the Everton loss—though likely recorded earlier.
The Portuguese tactician's 3-4-2-1 formation has generated considerable discussion, with numerous supporters believing the current squad lacks suitability for its complexities—United struggled significantly against Everton despite enjoying a numerical advantage for most of the contest.
During that interview, Amorim was questioned whether United supporters would witness the implementation of the "fluid attacking approach" that defined his system at previous club Sporting CP.
"We executed it against Liverpool, though not with Bryan Mbeumo, but with Cunha. It remains an available option," the United boss emphasized.
"We could label it a 4-4-2, but moments later it transforms into a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3. I'm prepared to implement anything, despite perceptions that I'm overly committed to one approach. I begin with fundamental principles, but we can employ [fluid attacking] going forward."