Cunhaโ Injury Concerns Prompt United Line-Up โRethinks
Manchesterโฃ United manager Erik ten Hag is considering alternative team formations as concerns grow โคover the availability of forward Matheus โฃCunha, โwho is facing a potential absence. the Brazilian’s possible injury has prompted analysis of how โคUnited can adjust โtheir attack, with three potential line-ups โemerging as viable options.
One scenario involves recalling Joshua Zirkzee to lead the attack, supported by Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo. Though, reports suggest Zirkzee’s future atโค Old Trafford is uncertain, having played only 90 โminutes across five substitute appearances. Ten Hag’sโฃ preferenceโข for a traditional centre-forward unless facing defensively weaker opponents casts further doubt on Zirkzee’s inclusion.
A second option centers around utilizingโ Kobbie Mainooโฃ inโข midfield โขalongside Casemiro,perhaps allowing Bruno Fernandes โคto move intoโฃ a moreโข advanced role. Mainoo missed Friday’s training session but Ten Hag โexpressed hope for his availability against Everton.โฃ This formation wouldโ also maintain Mbeumo in a false nine position, alongside Amad, aiming to provide aโ “strong attacking threat and plenty of creativity.”
should Cunha โremain unavailable, United โcould โขrevert to a system that prioritizes midfield control, potentially sacrificing an attacking player to โaccommodate Mainoo and allow Fernandes greater freedom โคfurther โforward. this would likelyโ involve retaining mbeumo in a forward role, but potentially adjusting the wider attacking positions.