Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has praised Manchester United for their signing of Matheus Cunha, drawing parallels with the Real Madrid mentality.
Since his arrival from Wolves, Matheus Cunha has quickly established himself as one of the more expressive characters in Rúben Amorim’s evolving Manchester United side.
Energetic, technically gifted, and unafraid to take risks on the ball, the Brazilian has shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency has also crept into his game as he continues to settle into life at Old Trafford.
For a manager determined to restore discipline and structure at United, balancing individual ambition with collective focus is a familiar challenge.
Amorim’s response to Cunha’s mentality could therefore become an early test of his man-management at the highest level.
Cunha is a Real Madrid-like signing
Those who have followed Cunha’s career are familiar with this mindset. From his days in Brazil to his stints in Germany and Spain, the forward has always carried himself as if he belongs among Europe’s elite.
His drive to reach that level is genuine, and perhaps that is what former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is referring to when he spoke about United’s summer transfers.
“But these guys [Man Utd’s summer signings], they kind of already had the confidence of the Premier League under their belt,” Pardew told Sky Sports.
“And in Cunha, in particular, you know, you got a player who probably thinks he should be a player for Real Madrid. He has that kind of inner belief. And that’s what you need at those big clubs.”
“And so, when he takes the ball, when he can, you know, he can link up with Fernandes, no problem,” he continued. You know, they’re on the same wavelength. It’s just how he’s [Amorim] going to fit that puzzle together.
“At the moment, he’s still kind of tinkering with it, but in the end, he’ll get a solution and, hopefully, as I say, they’ll have a great season.”
It’s the same inner belief that made him stand out at Wolves and convinced Amorim he could bring something different to Old Trafford. But with high self-expectations comes scrutiny. When performances dip, confidence can easily be mistaken for arrogance, and Amorim must find the right balance to keep Cunha focused and motivated without dulling his spark.
The manager’s approach so far has been pragmatic: keep communication open, reward effort and remind players that reputation means little without consistency. Cunha’s mentality, though occasionally divisive, is also what makes him such a compelling figure at Manchester United.
Teammates have reportedly spoken about his infectious energy in training and his willingness to take responsibility in tight games, qualities that Amorim views as essential for driving standards across the squad. The challenge now lies in translating that confidence into a consistent end product, turning potential into results, and belief into something tangible that lifts the entire team.
What it means for Manchester United
For United, the situation highlights the cultural transformation underway under Amorim. Gone are the days of leniency: every player, regardless of talent, is expected to buy into the club’s renewed standards. Cunha’s story is not one of controversy, but of calibration—a test of whether Amorim’s leadership can mould individual brilliance into team success.
If the Brazilian channels his confidence correctly, he could become one of the most dynamic forwards in the Premier League this season. But if the gap between self-belief and performance widens, Amorim will have another big call to make.
Read more: Man Utd handed huge advantage ahead of North-London clash as Lucas Bergvall set to miss fixture
Either way, the partnership between Amorim and Cunha appears to be one of the most intriguing narratives of United’s campaign, a battle of belief, balance, and ambition on one of football’s biggest stages.
Amorim’s handling of Cunha could also set the tone for how other high-profile players are managed at Old Trafford moving forward. The Portuguese coach has made it clear that reputation alone doesn’t guarantee a starting place, and his willingness to challenge big personalities could redefine United’s internal culture.
If he succeeds in striking that balance —demanding humility while empowering confidence —it could mark the beginning of a new, more disciplined era at the club.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.