Man Utd vs. Everton: Matheus Cunha decision made as Ruben Amorim confirms Red Devils XI for Old Trafford battle

Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha has not been cleared to face Everton on Monday night, with the Brazil international left out of his side's starting XI for the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Cunha emerged as a major doubt for the contest when he suffered a training-ground injury on Saturday, and the summer arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers misses the game against the Toffees, with Joshua Zirkzee handed his first Premier League start of the campaign.

"It was a knock in training so I don’t know how long he’s going to stay out, I think it’s nothing serious, but we cannot risk players," head coach Ruben Amorim said when asked about Cunha's absence.

Benjamin Sesko is also out with a knee injury, but instead of the more obvious choice of Mason Mount in the final third of the field, Amorim has brought in Zirkzee, who continues to be linked with a move away ahead of the January transfer window.

Kobbie Mainoo is back on the bench, having recovered from a minor injury, while there is also a spot among the substitutes for Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentina international officially back from the knee problem which has sidelined him since February.

Academy star Shea Lacey is also in the squad and in line to make his first-team debut.

As for Everton, Jarrad Braithwaite is a notable absentee due to injury, but it is a strong Toffees XI, with Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye featuring in the wide areas, with Thierno Barry leading the line.

Former Man United midfielder James Garner also starts for the Merseyside outfit, who would move level on 18 points with the Red Devils in the Premier League table if they triumph at Old Trafford.

Man United: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Amad, Zirkzee, Mbeumo

Subs: Bayindir, Dalot, Heaven, Malacia, Martinez, Mainoo, Mount, Ugarte, Lacey

Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gana, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

Subs: Travers, King, McNeil, Beto, O'Brien, Dibling, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam