Ruben Amorim is considering using Matheus Cunha in three different positions in his Manchester United system next season.
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves on a five-year deal worth £62.5 million, pending visa and registration approvals.
The 26-year-old Brazilian forward becomes Ruben Amorim’s first signing, signalling an early push to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.
Cunha is viewed as a key addition to United’s underperforming attack and is expected to bring fresh energy and quality to the frontline.
The fee will be paid in three instalments, beginning with an initial £20.8 million, with the remainder due over the next two years.
Amorim has three positions he wants to play Cunha
Cunha is an immediate upgrade on United’s current options in the forward line and part of the appeal is that he is used to playing in a similar system to Amorim’s one.
He operated as the left-sided no.10 in Wolves’ 3-4-3 formation and is expected to play in that same position at Old Trafford, although he is positionally flexible.
The Times have claimed that Amorim believes that Brazilian international can slot into the right-sided no.10 role. Bizarrely, it was also stated that the United boss believes Cunha can also play slightly further back in the midfield pivot.
Across his career, Cunha has rarely played in a deeper role but neither did Bruno Fernandes before this season, and he has looked at his best in the midfield pivot under Amorim.
The report did not mention the potential of Cunha being used as a no.9 but that also seems like a possibility, with him having previous experience playing through the middle.
Cunha perfect for left no.10 role
While being able to play multiple positions and roles is always useful, United will most likely be using Cunha in that left-sided no.10 role on a consistent basis.
United do not have many players who can take the ball on the half-turn and drive through the heart of the opposition team – Cunha can do exactly that and you want him in his best position to do so.
“He makes magic happen every day,” Ian Burchnall, the ex-Wolves assistant manager, told The Guardian about the new United signing.
“He’s a player that plays on his instinct, he doesn’t like to spend hours looking through opposition and tactical bits. He likes to feel the game and more play on instincts than anything.
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“Which obviously when a lot of coaches are working on deep tactical work, he doesn’t always slot into that because those sorts of free spirits are not seen as much. But if you can get him into the positions where he likes to be and then allow him that freedom, I think you get a lot out of Matheus.”
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