(DDM) – Manchester United have received a major fitness boost with Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha cleared to return for Saturday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the duo had been sidelined since sustaining injuries during United’s 3-2 victory over Burnley three weeks ago. Their absence was felt in last weekend’s Manchester derby, where United fell to a 2-0 defeat against rivals Manchester City.
Head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed their availability while also providing updates on other key players.
Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot remains unavailable after pulling out of international duty earlier this month due to muscle soreness.
Meanwhile, Argentine centre-back Lisandro Martínez has resumed light training, seven months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Amorim admitted Martínez’s absence continues to impact the squad. “Dalot is out. Mason and Cunha are back in the squad. Licha is still out.
That’s it,” he told reporters. “We miss Licha a lot, the aggression he brings, the way he does everything with intensity. But he’s always present, at meetings and even watching training. We need him in this team.”
Beyond fitness news, United also confirmed their stance on defender Tyrell Malacia.
The Dutch fullback had been linked with moves abroad before the European transfer window closed, but no deal materialized.
While options remain open in Greece and Saudi Arabia, Malacia is currently training with the under-21s as he rebuilds fitness.
“He’s returning to contact with teammates and the ball in the under-21s, and then we’ll see,” Amorim explained.
United approach the Chelsea fixture with confidence in their Old Trafford record. The Blues have not won a league game at the stadium since May 2013, when a late Phil Jones own goal handed Chelsea a 1-0 victory.
That match took place just days before Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement announcement, underlining how long United have held dominance at home in this fixture.
Saturday’s clash also carries an emotional subplot. Alejandro Garnacho, who made his Manchester United debut against Chelsea in April 2022, will return to Old Trafford wearing Chelsea’s colors after his summer move.
Amorim declined to discuss the teenager’s transfer saga, saying: “Garnacho is not our player. I’m really happy with Mason and Cunha returning. The rest, you have to ask the Chelsea manager.”
The encounter comes at a pivotal time for both clubs. United are aiming to rebound from their derby disappointment, while Chelsea arrive looking to break their Old Trafford hoodoo.
The returns of Mount and Cunha could prove decisive in determining whether United maintain their dominance or Chelsea finally end a decade-long wait for victory in Manchester.