Manchester United were handed a fresh injury blow as Matheus Cunha was left off the team-sheet to face Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday.
United secured themselves a vital three points in the race to qualify for the Champions League as they beat Brentford 2-1.
But Michael Carrick’s side found themselves disadvantaged before kick-off as Cunha did not arrive at the stadium with his team-mates.
And speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, Carrick confirmed he had picked up a minor injury in last week’s defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
He explained: “(Cunha) just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game the other day. He was looking promising during the week, so we thought he might have been OK, but he just didn’t quite recover quick enough.
“It is nothing too serious, but unfortunately he doesn’t make it tonight.”
Cunha now finds himself in a race against time to be passed fit for Sunday, when United host Liverpool in another match which stands to shake up the standings in the upper echelons of the Premier League table.
There was further bad news on the night for United, too, as Luke Shaw was withdrawn with an injury in the second half.
There was a slight silver lining, though, as Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro returned from injuries and Harry Maguire from suspension.
Cunha has enjoyed a fantastic first season with United, who he joined from Wolves last summer. He has tallied eight goals and two assists in 30 Premier League appearances, also scoring the decisive goal as the Red Devils sank Chelsea last time out.
