Manchester United will be hoping that the pending arrival of Matheus Cunha will instantly improve four of Rúben Amorim’s most important players next season.
Manchester United are reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha this summer as they look to strengthen Rúben Amorim’s attacking options.
This season, the team has struggled with consistent goal-scoring, relying heavily on captain Bruno Fernandes, especially after Amad was sidelined for two months due to injury.
Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund have combined for just 19 goals this campaign, with only five players reaching more than ten goal involvements. Marcus Rashford, who is set to be sold this summer, is one of them.
As a result, Amorim is focusing on signing players who fit his 3-4-3 formation, with Cunha seen as an ideal fit for the left attacking role.
While Cunha’s addition will immediately improve the calibre of quality on the left of United’s front line, it is also hoped that the Brazilian’s arrival will also improve four of Amorim’s key players next season.
#1 – Bruno Fernandes
As mentioned above, Fernandes has been United’s primary creative and goalscoring force this season, notching 17 goals and providing 16 assists across all competitions, which is far beyond the numbers of any other player at Old Trafford.
But, with Cunha’s arrival, it is hoped that the burden currently shouldered by Fernandes will be shared. There have been reports that Amorim is looking to move Fernandes into a deeper role once Cunha arrives, which would allow the club captain to dictate play.
Fernandes has demonstrated himself as a player with an elite ability to run fixtures from the middle of the park for United. With Cunha’s arrival, Fernandes will have a new attacking force to link with and play alongside, potentially elevating his game even further under Amorim.
#2 – Rasmus Højlund
Højlund’s struggles at United have been more than well documented – his recent goal against Bournemouth was only his second Premier League strike in his last 19 fixtures, and only his ninth across all competitions this term.
But with Cunha’s arrival, Højlund looks set to play alongside a player who is more willing to be creative. Garnacho has often been the player occupying the left flank this season, but with the Argentinian international more of a goal-focused player, Cunha is set to supply Højlund with more chances this season.
As for United players in the Premier League this season, only Fernandes (83) has created more chances than Cunha (51), and with both players in the side, this will benefit Højlund greatly.
#3 – Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu is another player who is set to benefit from Cunha becoming United’s first-choice left-forward over Garnacho.
As mentioned earlier, the 20-year-old is a goal-focused player, which has often meant that Dorgu’s runs on the left flank have been overlooked, leaving the Danish left wing-back exposed to criticism.
However, with Cunha a player who enjoys combination play and is accustomed to having marauding wing-backs by his side in Wolves’ formation, and Rayan Aït-Nouri often his partner in crime, his arrival will enable Dorgu to become more involved in the club’s attacking phases on the left flank.
#4 – Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee’s benefit from Cunha’s arrival is less evident due to the Netherlands international’s inconsistent first season at Old Trafford, but it will become obvious once the duo starts to click across the club’s front line.
Zirkzee is a player who benefits from having fast-thinking and intelligent players around him. Although he started the season poorly after failing to adapt under Erik ten Hag, he became integral to United’s attack under Amorim before his hamstring injury.
While he has thrived more as a No. 10 than as striker so far at Old Trafford due to the former position allowing him to be closer to his teammates, the 23-year-old playing as a striker alongside Cunha combined with attacking wing-backs can enable Zirkzee to be more comfortable leading the line, as more intelligent and combination-favouring players will be around him.
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