Manchester United have been dealt a significant setback ahead of the Manchester derby, with Ruben Amorim confirming that Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot will miss the clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Cunha sustained a hamstring injury during the first half of United's win over Burnley before the international break, while Mount failed to reappear for the second half of the same match. Dalot, who played the full 90 minutes at left wing-back against Burnley, withdrew from Portugal's squad during the international break due to 'muscle discomfort'.
Speaking ahead of the derby, Amorim confirmed the trio are unavailable despite their efforts to feature. 'They are out for this game, I don't know how long it's going to take,' he said. 'We need these guys to be a competitive team. We have very good players, who are eager to play, so we will be competitive on Sunday. But they are out.'
The three players have been ever-present for United this season, featuring in all three Premier League games and the Carabao Cup second-round penalty shoot-out defeat to Grimsby Town. Their absences will force Amorim to make several changes to his matchday squad.
Deadline Day signing Senne Lammens could be in line for his first appearance, though Amorim confirmed that Altay Bayindir will remain in goal. 'Altay is going to continue. It is a different league, a different country, different training, different ball,' Amorim said. 'So we will try to maintain that and they will fight for the position but for me in this game is clear, Altay will start.'
