Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £62.5 million, finalised on Thursday afternoon.
The Brazilian forward is Rúben Amorim’s first addition of the summer and a key part of United’s strategy to rebuild their squad early in the transfer window. He has signed a five-year contract.
Cunha is regarded as a major upgrade to United’s underperforming attack, with his speed, dynamic movement, and flexibility across the front line expected to add much-needed variety and fluidity.
The £62.5 million fee will be paid in three instalments, starting with £20.8 million upfront, followed by two further payments over the next year.
At 26, Cunha is likely to take over the left-wing role, which could see Alejandro Garnacho drop out of the starting side. The Argentine is increasingly expected to leave, with interest mounting from clubs in both the Premier League and Europe.
Cunha explains why he wants the No. 10 shirt
While it has not been confirmed, various reports have stated that Cunha will be handed United’s No. 10 shirt ahead of next season, succeeding it from the departing Marcus Rashford.
While it is not the first time he will have the No. 10 kit, having also worn the number at Wolves, Cunha revealed while speaking to club media that a driving force behind why he likes the number is that United legend Wayne Rooney had the kit. Cunha feels he is a similar player to Rooney.
“Yeah, it’s always hard to talk [about United] because I remember the whole squad at the time, then I started to watch, you know, like in the front, Rooney, wow!” Cunha started.
“[He is] someone I think I have a lot of particular in my game because I always like give everything. And I remember he used the number 10, so his shirt and everyone loves to the skills of the players.
“But he bring always more, like he go to the grass to take the ball and, you know, like this kind of energy inside of him was a big example.”
Cunha’s love for United will stand him well with fans
Amorim has been very clear in the last few months that he only wants to sign players who are wiling to invest in the overall project at United, rather than playing for the club for their own personal gain.
Cunha is certainly a player who fits right into the mould that Amorim wants, which puts him in perfect stead to succeed at United.
But, to succeed at Old Trafford, you also need to be able to endear yourself to the fans as well as the coaches, and Cunha is well on his way to doing that.
Cunha has spoken before about how he wants to be part of a collective team rather than shine in the spotlight himself, saying a few months ago that “I don’t want to be the star man, I want to be someone important for the people to remember, I do something good for them.
“I want to do everything to show everyone, ‘I will fight for you inside of the pitch’, doing some magic moments for them.”
This is the perfect type of mentality that Rooney used to show at United, and if Cunha can do the same, he will become one of the most loved players at the club.
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