Pundit Predictions: Will Cunha return?

Pundit Predictions: Will Cunha return?

Ruben Amorim welcomes two important players back from injury for Manchester United versus Chelsea, but will Mason Mount or Matheus Cunha start at Old Trafford? Our pundits have been having their say.

Two-time UEFA Champions League-winning defender Wes Brown is a regular player of our popular United Predictions game, and is backing Cunha to do more than just start!

Fellow ex-Red Luke Chadwick, who’ll be giving his expert analysis on MUTV on Saturday evening, is expecting a big change to Ruben’s starting line-up, too.

The 17:30 BST kick-off provides an opportunity for United to put last Sunday’s disappointing derby defeat to Manchester City behind us.

Predict Ruben’s starting XI, the scoreline, first goalscorer and your Man of the Match, and you’ll have the chance to win great prizes if you do.

So, what’s Chadwick’s big prediction? Well, he believes Amorim will make a change in the goalkeeping department.

Check out Wes and Luke’s full predictions below before making your own…

LUKE CHADWICK’S PREDICTIONS

United XI: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Amad; Cunha.

Score: United 2-1 Chelsea

First scorer: Bryan Mbeumo

Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes

Chadwick is backing Senne Lammens to make his United debut at the Theatre of Dreams, coming in for Altay Bayindir, who has started our last two games and every Premier League fixture so far this season.

That’s one of three changes in his line-up, with Luke also backing Amorim to bring Casemiro back into the side — replacing Manuel Ugarte, who started at the Etihad Stadium – as well as Cunha, who he thinks will take the striker’s berth, with Benjamin Sesko moving to the bench.

WES BROWN’S PREDICTIONS

United XI: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mazraoui; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha.

Score: United 3-2 Chelsea

First scorer: Matheus Cunha

Man of the Match: Matheus Cunha

Off the back of Ruben’s confirmation that Cunha is available for selection again — delivered in Friday’s pre-match press conference — Wes thinks the Brazil international is in for a defining game at this early stage of his United career.

With the Reds requiring a good result after last week’s setback, Brown expects Cunha to deliver in a thrilling five-goal game, in which United will come out on top. He’s backing our summer signing to score and pick up the Player of the Match award.

He also agrees with fellow pundit Chadwick that Lammens could be set for a first Reds start, but thinks the central back three will be unchanged from the derby defeat.

Wes also concurs with Luke that Casemiro will be restored to the starting line-up, but disagrees on two things: the right-wing-back, and the centre-forward. Wes has selected Amad in his side in the former position — as opposed to Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, who features in Chadwick’s team — and believes Sesko will retain his spot up top as he seeks a first United goal.

RUBEN’S UPDATE

Need a bit more information before making your predictions? Here’s what the boss has had to say on some key issues.

Team news: “[Diogo] Dalot is out. Mason [Mount] is in the squad. [Matheus] Cunha is in the squad. Licha [Martinez] is still out. I think that is it.”

Is Altay the permanent number one? “Nobody has a place that is his place. Everyone has to fight. Everyone is fighting for a place. I’m just trying to win games. Trying to see what is the best option to win the next game. So, at the end of the season, maybe it is a different team on the pitch, we are just trying to win games and to get the best connections and win points.”

PLAY UNITED PREDICTIONS

Make your own picks in our United Predictions game now.

You have until 16:15 BST to select your starting XI, and you can make your picks for first scorer, result and Man of the Match right up until kick-off.

With amazing prizes – including signed shirts and United Store vouchers – on offer, what are you waiting for? Get involved now!

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