Manchester United will be without Matheus Cunha for their Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday, another blow for manager Ruben Amorim after the forward’s absence was felt in Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Everton.

The Brazilian, who sustained a knock in training ahead of the Everton match, joins striker Benjamin Sesko and defender Harry Maguire on the sidelines.

“Sesko needs a little more time. Harry is the same. Matheus might be available for the next game, but not this one,” Amorim confirmed on Friday.

United sit 10th in the Premier League with 18 points, just two behind fifth-placed Crystal Palace. Despite a five-game unbeaten streak before Monday, Amorim remains frustrated with the team’s performances.

“I look at the games, and we should have more points,” he said, reflecting on draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest. “We had control in some games, we had the advantage, and we lost it. That is really disappointing and frustrating, especially in the last match.”

After the Everton loss, Amorim admitted the team is not yet performing at the level required. On avoiding a repeat of last season’s struggles, when United finished 15th, he said:

“We need to understand that in our league this year, everything can change very quickly. We have to focus on the next game. There’s an urgency to win matches, and everyone at the club knows the consequences if we don’t.”

United have secured just one away win in their last 11 matches.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one reason why we aren’t winning on the road. There are multiple issues we’re working to improve. We need to know how to close out games and turn them into wins,” Amorim explained.

He added that intensity has been inconsistent: “I felt our intensity at home was higher in previous games, but even at home on Monday, it wasn’t at the same level. That’s something we need to work on.”