The Real Reason Matheus Cunha Is Sitting Out Man Utd's Clash Against Brentford

Manchester United were forced to field their side against Brentford without last week's match-winner Matheus Cunha, who was ruled out with a hip flexor complaint, Michael Carrick confirmed.

The Brazilian attacker netted the sole goal in a dull win over Chelsea to strengthen the Red Devils' grip on a Champions League qualification spot. Liverpool's victory over Crystal Palace, combined with Aston Villa's loss to Fulham on Saturday, means United are level on 58 points with both sides heading into Monday night's encounter with the Bees.

Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, sit eight points behind the Champions League places.

Despite United's seemingly solid standing, nothing is guaranteed in what has been a turbulent season at Old Trafford. Cunha's absence is a setback, though there was optimism it would be short-lived, particularly with a home fixture against Liverpool looming on the horizon.

Man Utd Confirmed XI vs. Brentford

(4-2-3-1): Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo; Benjamin Šeško.

Substitutes: Altay Bayındır (GK), Patrick Dorgu, Tyrell Malacia, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee.

Michael Carrick went with the obvious solution of slotting Amad Diallo in for Cunha. With Benjamin Šeško tasked with leading the attack, Bryan Mbeumo has been shifted out to his less comfortable left-wing role.

The right-footed winger doesn't frequently operate on the left but has shown he can be effective from that side. Against both Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur, Mbeumo found the net from his less favored flank.

When Will Matheus Cunha Return for Man Utd?

Cunha's unavailability caught most observers off guard and was a disappointment within the club. "He was looking quite promising during the week," Carrick told Sky Sports before kick-off.

"We thought he'd be O.K. but he didn't quite progress quick enough. It's nothing to serious but unfortunately he misses out tonight."

The relatively minor nature of the injury is a significant relief for United, with a showdown against Liverpool at Old Trafford just six days away. Any meeting between these storied rivals carries enormous weight, but this one carries added significance given the Champions League qualification stakes.

Man Utd Handed Huge Double Boost vs. Brentford

Early in Carrick's tenure, Cunha couldn't break into the side even when fully available. Patrick Dorgu was the reliable wide option the interim manager turned to in his opening two games, watching with satisfaction as the Danish international repaid his faith with goals against Manchester City and Arsenal.

However, Dorgu suffered a serious hamstring injury at the Emirates that kept him out since the final weekend of January. The adaptable wide player returned to training during United's extended break as March gave way to April, but was not considered ready to even feature among the substitutes against Chelsea last weekend. Nine days later, Dorgu has finally been named in a matchday squad.

Carrick chose not to throw the 21-year-old straight back into the starting lineup, though Harry Maguire did return to the XI after completing a contentious two-match suspension. Maguire's preferred centre-back partner, Lisandro Martínez, remains absent through his own ban, meaning Ayden Heaven was handed another start despite Leny Yoro's return to fitness.