Premier League: Hincapie returns for Arsenal as Cunha & Fernandes miss Man Utd training

Sunderland off form in Old Trafford defeat

Sunderland v Wolves (Sat, 15:00 BST)

Sunderland

Sunderland's impressive run of four games unbeaten in the Premier League came to a grinding halt at Old Trafford just before the international break.

The Black Cats had scooped up 11 points from their opening six league games, but manager Regis le Bris admitted he got his tactics wrong against Ruben Amorim's side.

Speaking after the match, Le Bris said: "We didn't start well, it's a bit disappointing because we had good ambition here."

Sunderland had only conceded four goals in six matches before Manchester United struck twice in just 31 minutes, forcing the boss to make a substitutional change just 37 minutes into the match.

The Black Cats will be looking to improve their away form, after failing to score in three of their four away games in the Premier League this season, but will take comfort in being back on home turf at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

'An intelligent defender with real strength and versatility'

Arsenal

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta expressed his delight after Arsenal completed the loan signing of Piero Hincapie.

"We are delighted to have completed the loan signing for the season of Piero Hincapie," Berta said.

"At only 23, Piero already has significant experience, both in the Bundesliga and at international level. He is an intelligent defender with real strength and versatility.

"His performances in recent years for both club and country have been of a consistent high quality, and we are confident Piero will continue to grow this season and be an important player for us."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta added: "Piero has a real physical presence, with his versatility and tactical flexibility giving us strong added defensive options.

"He is a big character, with a very good combination of both youth and maturity. He will make our squad stronger and more competitive as we continue into this season."

Who is Arsenal defender Hincapie?

Arsenal completed the signing of defender Piero Hincapie on deadline day from Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

The Gunners agreed a fee of £45m (52m euros) for the Ecuador international should they want to sign him permanently next summer.

Hincapie made 166 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen after joining in 2021 and was part of the squad that won the Bundesliga and German Cup in 2023-24.

The 23-year-old has featured just once for the Gunners since his arrival due to injury and is yet to make his debut in the Premier League.

That could change this weekend with the central defender back in training for the first time since September.

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Ben Ramsdale

BBC Sport

We've got a couple more bits to bring you on the news that Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie is back in training and then we'll be just about ready for the first of today's news conferences.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris is first up this afternoon before updates from Leeds United manager Daniel Farke and Burnley's Scott Parker.

We'll continue dropping in answers to your questions as we go too. Told you, no structure but we'll make it work!

Mainoo and Zirkzee need to play

Liverpool v Man Utd (Sun, 16:30 BST)

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Manchester United reporter

With no European football to fill their midweeks, it always felt to me as though a couple of players in Manchester United's squad might struggle to play many matches.

That has been exacerbated by their shock EFL Cup defeat at Grimsby in August.

Young defenders Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson have not had many minutes at any level but further forward the problem is more acute for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, who are at risk of missing the World Cup.

Mainoo has actually featured in United's last five Premier League games - but completed a combined total of 113 minutes. Zirkzee's three appearances in that time totalled 74 minutes, but only 15 since the 3-2 win over Burnley in August.

It is not enough for either, which is why they have both been heavily linked with moves away from United in January.

There is a significant caveat.

Between the beginning of December and the first week in January, there are three midweek Premier League fixtures, when United's squad depth will be tested.

Then, from 21 December to 18 January it is the Africa Cup of Nations, when Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are likely to be on duty for Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively.

Mainoo and Zirkzee are likely to be needed then by Ruben Amorim, so it may be the end of January before their futures are decided.

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Get Involved - 'Huge incentive' for Man Utd at Anfield

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Simon Stone

BBC Sport Manchester United reporter

Rehan: Hi there, how long do you think Ruben Amorim has left before he gets the sack? Also what is your prediction for Man Utd v Liverpool?

Hiya Rehan. Well I don't think he is safe for three years, as minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggested in his interview with The Times last week, but his words should at least mean there is a period of calm.

A defeat on Sunday shouldn't bring the same feeling of impeding doom that followed the loss at Brentford last month.

While I'm sceptical of Ratcliffe's timescale, I do think United's hierarchy want to give Amorim time. But everyone knows results have to improve.

For the past two seasons, they have collected a single point from their next four fixtures; Liverpool (a), Brighton (h), Forest (a), Tottenham (a). That is not acceptable for a club of United's size and they have to do better than that this time around.

As for Sunday, there is huge pressure on Liverpool - and therefore a huge incentive for United. Is there a better place for Amorim to secure that elusive second successive Premier League win?

It will be a tough game though, and a lot will depend on how United cope in midfield.

Man Utd training: Fernandes, Casemiro, Amad & Cunha not involved

Liverpool v Man Utd (Sun, 16:30 BST)

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Manchester United reporter

Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Amad and Casemiro missed Manchester United training this morning as the quartet were given extra time off by manager Ruben Amorim.

The quartet were not pictured in this morning's session, part of which was filmed by Sky Sports.

United take on Liverpool on Sunday as they look to win back-to-back matches in the Premier League for the first time this season.

Amorim is likely to be without Noussair Mazraoui, who has missed the last two matches with what has been described as a minor injury.

The Morocco defender didn't play in his country's World Cup qualifier with Congo on Monday.

Lisandro Martinez wasn't there either but he is edging closer to a return after major knee surgery and it will be interesting to see if he makes a matchday squad before the November international break.

Shea Lacey, Jim Thwaites and Jack Fletcher were amongst the youngsters involved, while Ayden Heaven missed out after he was taken off at half-time of England's Under-20 international defeat by Switzerland last Friday.

Hincapie back from injury

Alex Howell

BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

Piero Hincapie is back in training following injury.

The defender picked up the issue after his debut for the club in the win over Athletic Club in the Champions League.

Manager Mikel Arteta revealed the Ecuador international had a groin surgery earlier in the summer while with Bayer Leverkusen and that the 23-year-old had small problem there before the international break.

However, Arteta said he expected Hincapie back available once the window was over and as he is training he looks to be available for selection.

Arteta will give more details about Hincapie availability at his news conference tomorrow morning.

Gyokeres to get over struggles

Alex Howell

BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

It's been a difficult time for Arsenal summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.

Mikel Arteta said that he gave the forward a hug in appreciation for his effort after the 2-0 win over West Ham.

But, it's just three goals in 10 games for Arsenal and he did not score in his previous six matches before the international break.

He played 90 minutes in both of Sweden's matches this international break but did not find the net meaning he has not scored in his last eight games for club and country.

His team-mates at Arsenal are appreciative of the work Gyokeres is doing making space for the attackers behind him but the £64m centre forward will be desperate for a goal when Arsenal are back in action.

Arsenal's high level of performance

Alex Howell

BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

Arsenal have started this season at an extremely high level as Mikel Arteta looks to lead his side to the Premier League title.

The Gunners squad is arguably the best in the league with two quality options in each position.

They have conceded just three goals in ten games in all competitions and star man Bukayo Saka is building up his fitness after a hamstring injury and has scored in his last two Arsenal games.

He followed that up for England with an excellent goal against Wales and looks to be back near his best.

Arteta believes there is more to come from his side but they have made an impressive start to what could be an exciting season for Arsenal.

International performances to help the Gunners?

Alex Howell

BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

Mikel Arteta said after the last international break that he takes into account the form of his players while they have representing their countries.

That saw Mikel Merino start the match against Nottingham Forest after an impressive time for Spain where he scored a hat-trick.

Merino has continued that form into the international break again and scored twice in Spain's 4-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Gabriel Martinelli scored for Brazil, Leandro Trossard scored for Belgium and Eberechi Eze scored as England qualified for the World Cup with a 5-0 win over Latvia.

It's great news for Arsenal that so many of their players are scoring as Arsenal aim to pick up where they left of with impressive performances.

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Get Involved - 'Arsenal would be able to cope with Odegaard absence'

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Alex Howell

BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

Rich: Can Arsenal win the league with an unfit Martin Odegaard?

There is no doubt Martin Odegaard is one of Arsenal's most important players and, when he is on top form, he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

But, with Arsenal's new depth, I think they would be able to cope without him for large parts or at least until he is fit to come back into the team again.

Declan Rice is a powerhouse in the left number eight role, and then Arsenal have options in Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri, who can all slot into the right side of the number eights.

Of course they all offer something different, but this season is the best-placed Arsenal would be to deal with Odegaard being out for a decent chunk of time.

Odegaard out - who does Arteta use in his place?

Alex Howell

BBC Sport Arsenal reporter

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has had a tricky start to this season.

The midfielder has come off in the first half of the last three of Arsenal home Premier League matches, setting an unwanted record.

His latest issues, a medial collateral ligament injury, comes after two shoulder problems - and is now set to be out until after the November internationals.

Arsenal have plenty of options in midfield now with Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino but Arteta has a tough choice about which combination he opts for.

Fernandez expected to be back for Forest

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Enzo Fernandez withdrew from international duty due to 'inflammation of the knee', according to the Argentine FA.

However, it is understood that the midfielder had always planned to miss the friendly match with Puerto Rico this week and had planned to see family during his leave.

Of course, Fernández has played a lot this season and featured in the Club World Cup with Chelsea in the summer, so it was more load management than any specific injury.

It means Fernandez will likely be capable of facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

International break at the wrong time for Postecoglou?

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (Sat, 12:30 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter

The international break arguably came at a bad time for Ange Postecoglou who will be desperate for more time on the training pitches with his Nottingham Forest squad.

He had six games in his first 23 days, limiting the time to implement his style of high pressure and pressing, which is vastly different to the compact and direct counter attacking nature of predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo's team.

Postecoglou has been without 12 players who have gone away with their countries, including Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson with England.

During the break Chis Wood became New Zealand's joint most capped player with Ivan Vicelich with 88 appearances.

But, despite positive noises from All Whites coach Darren Bazeley, Wood came off in the 1-1 draw with Norway on Tuesday with a knee problem.

Wood was withdrawn after an hour in the friendly in Oslo and will be assessed by Forest ahead of the weekend.

Man City aiming to stay in the mix

Shamoon Hafez

Football news reporter

Manchester City will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run across their next seven games in three competitions before the November international break.

It was at the end of October when the wheels well and truly fell off for City last season, winning only one of 13 games and losing nine in the process.

Boss Pep Guardiola has said his side need to be in the top four come the turn of the year so they can push on for a title tilt during the run-in and the next set of fixtures may well determine how the new look squad is shaping up and in which direction they are headed.

Victories against Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League will go a long way to sealing a top-eight spot in the group phase, while they also have a trip to Championship side Swansea in the Carabao Cup.

But the Premier League is the bread and butter and City have four testing games facing Everton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and a huge clash against Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on 9 November.

Beating the Reds will provide confidence to City's youngsters that they can go on and achieve great things this season.

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