How does new signing Cunha fit into Manchester United's plans?
A pivotal summer begins for Manchester United
Manchester United enter the summer on the back of a bruising Europa League final defeat and one of their worst-ever Premier League campaigns.
Author | Liam C
Under new head coach Rúben Amorim, the club faces a defining transfer window, one that could shape their trajectory for the next few years. Maybe even the next decade.
Amorim has not shied away from speaking plainly about the scale of the task ahead. United are in urgent need of a reset, and this time, they cannot afford missteps. If the Portuguese coach is to succeed with his preferred 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation, the club must fully support him in the market.
So where should they begin?
Signing Matheus Cunha would be a strong statement of intent. The Brazilian forward was Wolverhampton Wanderers’ standout performer last season, combining work rate with end product. More importantly, he could help solve United’s long-standing attacking problems.
United have struggled for goals across two consecutive seasons. Last term, only the bottom three and Everton scored fewer in the league. The year before, they were the joint-lowest scorers in the top half.
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Cunha offers more than just finishing. With 40 goal contributions over the past two campaigns, he provides creativity, mobility and a pressing intensity that has often been missing from United’s front line. For a club desperate to avoid another failed rebuild, signing the right type of forward is essential. Cunha may well be that player.
Making their attack less predictable
Manchester United's attacking patterns have become worryingly predictable. Too often, possession is recycled across the back three, only for the wing-backs and midfielders to find themselves tightly marked. With few progressive options available, the ball is frequently launched long towards the striker.
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More often than not, that striker is Rasmus Højlund. While the Danish forward has promise, his hold-up play remains inconsistent. The result is a high number of turnovers and a loss of momentum in attack.
The core issue lies in United's lack of ball carriers. There are too few players capable of receiving possession in tight areas and doing something meaningful with it. Only Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho offer that kind of direct threat. With Garnacho expected to leave, the situation becomes even more urgent.
This is where Matheus Cunha could make a real difference. His ability to drive at defenders, create chances and inject unpredictability into rigid systems offers something United have sorely lacked. A player who can lift the tempo and unlock defences is exactly what this team needs.
