Three shirt numbers Matheus Cunha could wear at Manchester United, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the transfer has only one significant hurdle remaining.
Manchester United are reportedly inching toward an agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha this summer as they look to improve Rúben Amorim’s attacking line.
This season, the club have failed to score consistent goals, with much of the burden being shouldered by captain Bruno Fernandes, with United’s other stunning attacker, Amad, having missed the last two months through injury.
Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund have just 18 goals between them this campaign, with only five players reaching more than ten goals involvements, and one being Marcus Rashford, who is being sold this summer.
With this in mind, Amorim is looking to sign players this summer who would better fit into his 3-4-3 formation, with Cunha a perfect player to slot into his left attacking role.
According to Fabrizio Romano, as United already know the £62.5 million release clause it takes to sign Cunha, the club are just one step away from his signing as personal terms need to be agreed, with positive meetings having already taken place between United and his agents.
Should the deal go through, there are three shirt numbers that Cunha could take this summer amid his potential signing.
The #10 shirt
This is the most obvious of the three choices. Of all the clubs Cunha has played for in his career so far, he has won the No. 10 shirt at both Hertha Berlin and, most recently, at Wolves, with this being the number he has had on his back for the 2024/25 campaign.
However, the slight issue United have is that the No. 10 shirt is currently occupied by Rashford, who is on loan at Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.
Rashford has held the number since 2018, but is expected to be moved on this summer amid Villa’s £40 million buy option. Should the England international leave the club, Cunha could be the natural heir.
The No. 9 shirt
Cunha taking the No. 9 shirt is another option, although this again depends on United’s transfer outgoings this summer.
No. 9 is currently occupied by Danish striker Højlund, but the 22-year-old’s future is uncertain amid his poor form this campaign and significant interest from the Serie A.
Cunha has worn the No. 9 shirt at Hertha Berlin and Atletico Madrid, making it another number he is comfortable in and has an affection for.
The No. 12 shirt
The No. 12 shirt is currently occupied by on-loan left-back Tyrell Malacia, but with the Dutchman set to be sold this summer, it will almost certainly be available for Cunha to take should the above two not.
Cunha had the No. 12 kit on his back for his first two seasons at Wolves before switching to the No. 10 last summer, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 32 Premier League appearances.
What other numbers has Cunha worn?
Across his five senior clubs, Cunha has also worn the numbers 70, 20, 26, and 19 on the back of his shirts.
Out of these, No. 19 is available after Raphaël Varane departed at the end of last summer, while the No. 21 shirt is also likely to become available for summer signings after Antony is sold in the summer, too.
Cunha has previously worn the No. 21 shirt while on international duty with Brazil.
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