When Will Matheus Cunha Return?
Cunha is currently projected to be back in the squad for the West Ham game on Thursday, having been ruled out of the Crystal Palace trip as a precaution after his head injury in training. Ruben Amorim has publicly said he expects to “have Matheus in the next one, not this one,” which is as close to a clear timeline as managers usually give, especially with any kind of concussion-related issue. centredevils. (@centredevils) shared on X that Matheus Cunha will be absent for the game against Crystal Palace, but is expected to return for the match against West Ham.
In simple terms: Everton (missed), Crystal Palace (missing), West Ham (target return). That’s a pretty standard two‑match absence for a mild to moderate head knock, matching what’s usually seen when clubs follow modern concussion guidelines. Of course, medical staff will still run him through step-by-step return-to-play checks – light cardio, non-contact training, full training – but the fact that the manager is already talking about the West Ham match is a strong hint that things are progressing well rather than dragging on.
There’s also a small psychological side to this. Inside the dressing room, the idea of “he’s back for the next one” can give the group a bit of a lift, especially after a flat attacking display like the Everton defeat. Fans feel it too; you can almost sense the mood swing online when a key forward is suddenly listed as “expected to return” instead of “ruled out indefinitely.” Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) shared on X that Ruben Amorim confirmed Matheus Cunha will miss the weekend trip to Crystal Palace due to a head injury but will be back for the match against West Ham on Thursday.
Matheus Cunha Injury Update
Cunha is recovering from a significant head injury suffered in training last week, which was serious enough that he almost got knocked out and had to miss both a charity event and back‑to‑back league games. The club has treated it as a concussion‑type incident, putting him through strict protocols and keeping him out against Everton and Crystal Palace to avoid any risk of rushing him back.
The player himself has tried to keep things light, posting an Instagram story thanking supporters for their messages and joking that he “hasn’t gone crazy yet,” which is a very footballer way of saying: “I’m okay, don’t panic.” He’s also been pictured working on an exercise bike at home, which is exactly what you want to see at this stage – gentle physical work without the chaos of full-contact training.
From the club’s perspective, it’s a double blow because Benjamin Šeško and Harry Maguire are also out, so every decision around Cunha becomes even more delicate – you can’t gamble with a head injury just because the squad is stretched. The silver lining is that Amorim has repeatedly framed Cunha’s problem as short-term, unlike Šeško and Maguire, who he says will need “more time,” which quietly tells you the medical team are relatively relaxed about the Brazilian’s medium‑term outlook.
Matheus Cunha stats
Statistically, Cunha’s first months at United look modest on paper – around 1 goal and no assists in roughly 8–10 Premier League appearances this season – but the underlying numbers show a forward heavily involved in build‑up and chance creation rather than just waiting in the box. Data services track him with over 20 shots, solid expected goals, and a healthy volume of successful dribbles and key passes, which backs up the eye test that he helps United progress the ball and link play rather than simply finishing moves.
Disclaimer
All information is based on currently available reports, manager comments and typical concussion return timelines, which can change at short notice. This article is for general information only and should not be treated as medical or club-official advice. Always check Manchester United’s official channels for final squad and injury updates.
