Matheus Cunha delivered a stellar performance for Brazil in their 0-5 win against South Korea on Friday and has given Ruben Amorim a selection headache ahead of United’s trip to Anfield next Sunday.
Matheus Cunha has endured a somewhat frustrating start to his Manchester United career. He’s not yet made the impact he would’ve wanted to and has also spent some time on the sideline due to injury.
The Brazilian international has posed a constant threat when on the pitch, registering 15 shots in the Premier League, but has failed to convert that into a level of productivity so far, with no goal or assist to show for his efforts so far this season.
Cunha found the back of the net 15 times last season in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers and also registered six assists.
Rúben Amorim will be hoping to get the former Wolves forward to be firing on a similar level this season as the Reds push to secure European football next season.
Cunha shines in false nine role vs South Korea
Cunha picked up an assist as Brazil thumped South Korea 0-5 in Seoul, setting up Vinicius Junior as Brazil found the back of the net for the fifth and final time of the evening.
Carlo Ancelotti deployed Cunha as a false nine, with Vinicius Junior on the left, Chelsea’s Estevao on the right and Rodrygo as the no.10. The United forward started the season as a centre forward, but usually prefers to play on the left side.
Cunha created three chances, the most by any player on the pitch, but failed to get into positions to find the back of the net.
Nonetheless, this performance should give Cunha a significant confidence boost as the forward looks to return to his dazzling best and make a name for himself at Old Trafford.
Amorim has selection headache ahead of Liverpool clash
Matheus Cunha’s performance as a false nine vs South Korea could potentially give Amorim a selection headache as the United boss prepares to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Amorim has used Benjamin Šeško as a target man, and the Slovenian striker has performed very well in that role. However, against Liverpool, Šeško will be coming up against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, two of the most aerially dominant centre-backs in Europe.
It could, therefore, be argued that using Cunha as a false nine against Liverpool could be a better option, as the Brazilian is very comfortable receiving the ball into his feet.
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That does sound like a reasonable idea in theory, but in practice, it would likely prove ineffective. The reality is that United go long all the time and make very little effort to play out from the back. Having Šeško as the striker to aim for is therefore of the utmost importance. Cunha doesn’t offer anywhere near the same aerial presence.
Coming up against Van Dijk and Konate will be Šeško’s biggest test yet. The Liverpool duo are physically dominant, and while Šeško is brilliant in the air, most centre-forwards in world football would struggle to reliably win aerial duels against them.
What Amorim could do is position Šeško closer to either one of Liverpool’s full-backs and ask Senne Lammens to aim his long-kicks more down the flanks towards Šeško.
By doing this, the former RB Leipzig striker would have to engage in fewer duels with Van Dijk and Konate. And even if they do follow Šeško out wide, it would then create space centrally for United to exploit should they win the second ball.
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