Manchester United have confirmed the arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £62.5 million deal, completed on Thursday afternoon.
The Brazilian forward is Rúben Amorim’s first signing of the summer and a central piece in United’s efforts to reshape their squad early in the window. He has agreed to a five-year contract.
Cunha is viewed as a major upgrade to United’s faltering attack, with his pace, intelligent movement, and versatility across the front three expected to bring renewed dynamism and creativity.
The fee will be paid in three instalments, beginning with an initial £20.8 million, followed by two further payments over the next year.
At 26, Cunha is expected to occupy the left flank, with Alejandro Garnacho’s position under threat amid growing speculation over a potential exit. Interest in the Argentine is building from clubs across both the Premier League and mainland Europe.
Zirkzee’s advice to Cunha in his opening weeks
One player who went through a similar ordeal last summer that Cunha is about to experience is Joshua Zirkzee, who signed for United in the summer of 2024.
Speaking to club media recently, he explained what he went through during his opening weeks at United, explaining that signing for a club such as United, just as Cunha has done, is “not normal” and takes some time to get used to.
“In the first few weeks, you don’t even really know what’s going on,” Zirkzee admitted. “So I’m looking back now, and I’m like, that wasn’t normal, you know? It isn’t normal to sign for a club this big.
“So in the first few weeks, you’re just like, wow, wow, but you don’t really know what’s going on. You just look back, and then you’ll be like, wow. Yeah, that was crazy. You really made that happen, you know what I mean?”
Cunha is ready to handle the Old Trafford pressure
Cunha is a player with extensive experience, having turned 26 less than a month ago, despite competing in Brazil, Austria, Germany, Spain, and England prior to signing with Amorim.
Playing at United is a great privilege, but it also comes with an intense amount of pressure that many players have folded under over the years. Although Cunha feels he already has the tools to succeed where others haven’t at Old Trafford.
“Yeah, I’m so free from that, honestly,” Cunha asserted when asked if he is ready to shoulder this burden. “I think I’m grateful to be part of the biggest national team in the world.
“The pressure there is huge also, and I learned a lot. I think in the beginning, it was a little bit difficult, in parts for me.
“To be honest, sometimes I don’t think I managed well and, yeah, like I say, I learn from the mistakes also. I don’t think they’re mistakes, I think it’s normal, it’s learning, and to come here now, I think it is the best moment in my life to also feel open for these kind of details.”
Cunha is expected to report to Carrington in mid-July to commence pre-season and will take part in all five of United’s summer fixtures before making his official club debut against Arsenal on 17 August.
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