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Matheus Cunha’s return from a head injury gives Manchester United an additional attacking option ahead of a demanding December schedule.
Manchester United confirmed that forward Matheus Cunha is expected to rejoin the squad for Thursday’s league match against West Ham, following two games out with a head injury sustained in training. The update was provided during the club’s pre-match briefing on Wednesday, where manager Ruben Amorim said the striker is fit to return after completing required assessments. Cunha joined United in the summer from Wolves and has made 11 league appearances so far this season.
The development matters for supporters and broadcasters because United continue to manage several injuries across the squad during one of the busiest periods of the Premier League calendar. His availability helps balance attacking depth while fitness checks continue on captain Bruno Fernandes and other players following knocks suffered in recent matches.
Cunha has completed concussion-related protocols and has resumed full participation in training sessions at Carrington. He has not played since late November and is available for selection for the first time in two league games.
The forward arrived from Wolves for £62.5 million and has scored once in the league this season. His contribution has centred on pressing, ball progression and link play, similar to his role at Wolves where he produced a strong second half of the 2023–24 campaign. Transfers of similar value at United, such as those for Antony and Rasmus Højlund, have also required extended adaptation periods.
United remain without Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire, who continue their rehabilitation programmes. Medical staff are also evaluating two additional players, including Fernandes, after minor issues during the win at Crystal Palace.
This leaves United with several selection decisions before Thursday’s match.
Amorim said Cunha should focus on overall performance rather than goal totals, highlighting that forwards often take time to adjust to new tactical structures. He also addressed younger defender Leny Yoro’s recent frustration after conceding a penalty, saying the coaching staff are supporting him through early-career challenges.
Supporters have noted Cunha’s return as timely, given the team’s limited forward options in recent weeks and the heavy fixture load running through mid-December.
The tone from the club and fan base has been measured, reflecting the need for continuity rather than immediate output.
Cunha’s return affects squad rotation during a period where Premier League matches are spread across multiple broadcasters. In the UK, December fixtures are split between Amazon Prime Video, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, contributing to increased viewing demand and shifting match schedules.
His transfer fee places him among United’s major attacking signings of recent seasons. Moves of this scale typically draw international audience interest, particularly when a player undergoes a period of adjustment. Comparisons with previous big-fee forwards show that adaptation often spans several months, especially in teams with evolving systems.
With ongoing injuries elsewhere, Cunha’s availability provides stability as United enter a phase of frequent matches and varied broadcast slots.
This influences how supporters access games across different platforms.
Premier League tracking data shows that forwards adapting to new systems often post higher defensive-pressing numbers before scoring increases. Players such as Darwin Núñez and Kai Havertz experienced similar trajectories when joining new sides.
Cunha currently ranks above the league average for recoveries and pressures per 90 minutes among central forwards, indicating that his off-ball impact aligns with the style Amorim has prioritised.
This suggests that his contribution is broader than goal statistics indicate.
Manchester United host West Ham at Old Trafford on Thursday, 4 December 2025, in a Premier League fixture that carries importance for both clubs. Supporters looking for reliable details on the Man U game can find confirmed broadcast information, kick-off timing and squad updates below.
The Man U game kick off time is 8pm (UK) on Thursday night. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available through the Sky Sports app for subscribers. For anyone asking “is the Man U game on TV?”, Sky is the exclusive UK broadcaster for this fixture. International viewers can watch via regional rights holders, including NBC Sports in the United States, DAZN in Canada, Optus Sport in Australia and StarTimes in several African markets.
Fans searching “where can I watch the Man U game” have options even without a long-term contract. Sky’s NOW service offers day and month passes, providing flexible access to the live stream. Audio commentary may also be available on BBC Radio 5 Live depending on rights scheduling.
As for the Man U squad, Matheus Cunha is back in full training and available for selection after recovering from a head injury. Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire remain unavailable, while late assessments continue on two unnamed players, including captain Bruno Fernandes. West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has urged his side to improve decision-making in the final third after a recent defeat to Liverpool.
Live match updates, statistics, in-game clips and highlights will appear across Sky’s digital platforms and the Premier League’s official channels shortly after full-time.
This provides supporters with several clear options to follow the Man U West Ham match on 4 December.
He has been cleared to return after completing all medical checks. United have not indicated any restrictions on his involvement, though final selection depends on match-day fitness.
Cunha has been used in a role that focuses on pressing, build-up play and movement between lines. These responsibilities can reduce goal-scoring opportunities while players adjust to new systems.
Fernandes is still being monitored after discomfort late in the match against Crystal Palace. United will confirm availability once final assessments are completed.
Sesko and Maguire remain unavailable. Two additional players are undergoing late fitness tests, though the club has not provided names beyond Fernandes being one of the concerns.
He signed in the 2025 summer transfer window from Wolves for £62.5 million, becoming one of the club’s major attacking additions of the past three seasons.
United will complete final fitness checks before naming the squad for Thursday’s fixture. Cunha is expected to return to the matchday group, while decisions on other players will follow medical reviews.
The club will update availability as assessments conclude.
Cunha’s return offers Manchester United additional depth at a busy stage of the season, reinforcing an area of the squad affected by recent injuries. The situation highlights the broader challenge of managing player workloads during December, when clubs face dense schedules and elevated broadcasting commitments. Supporters should monitor updates on Fernandes and other players as the squad is finalised for the meeting with West Ham. The club enters a decisive stretch with greater clarity over its attacking options.
👋👋 Coming up on the site: our look ahead at Simon Jordan’s planned return to watch Crystal Palace after a 15-year absence, examining why the former owner is expected back in the stands and what it could mean for the club. 👉 Read the preview here. 👈
