Matheus Cunha will be absent for Manchester United’s final games of the season ahead of the World Cup this summer.
With just three weeks left in the Premier League season, the attention of football fans across the globe will soon turn to the World Cup set to kick off across North America in June.
In total, a record 48 countries will compete in the tournament, split into 12 groups of four teams, with some of the biggest names in the sport set to participate.
However, there are also a number of huge stars that won’t be in North America this summer, with the likes of Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike and Real Madrid winger Rodrygo among those ruled out by injury.
And, having already lost Rodrygo, it’s clear that Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti is not taking any chances with one of his other key players as the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has reportedly reached an agreement with United to rest Cunha for the rest of the season.
As reported by ESPN, despite Cunha playing a key role and scoring in the 3-2 win over Liverpool, the CBF remains concerned about Cunha’s recent adductor problem and therefore want him to take time off the pitch to recover for the World Cup.
The report claims that United and the CBF reached the agreement as the Premier League side feels they have already completed their key objective of the season, securing Champions League qualification.
Therefore, even though he’s fit and able to play for United, the agreement is simply to be cautious to ensure that the Brazilian star is 100% for the World Cup.
This means that Cunha will be not be available for United’s upcoming matches against Sunderland (A), Nottingham Forest (H) and Brighton (A).
But he will be fit and ready to start when Brazil begin their World Cup campaign in a tough fixture against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 13.
Brazil are in Group C of the World Cup and will therefore play Haiti and Scotland in their remaining fixtures on June 20 and 24 respectively, with all three matches taking place in the USA.
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Topics: Manchester United, Brazil, Premier League, Football, FIFA World Cup