Wayne Rooney has explained the most significant impact he feels Matheus Cunha will have at Manchester United, and it has nothing to do with his goals.
Rúben Amorim’s plea to Manchester United’s board this summer was clear – he needs goalscoring experience, and he needs it before the 2025/26 campaign kicks off.
While the club are still hunting for a new striker, they have drastically improved their attacking options, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for a combined £127.5 million.
Cunha netted 15 Premier League goals last season while Mbeumo scored 20, vastly outdoing any other United player bar Bruno Fernandes, who scored 19 in all competitions.
With the pair likely to play together for the first time while the club are in the United States on pre-season, the United faithful are hoping the pair can click together ahead of the opening game of the campaign against Arsenal on 17 August.
Rooney delves into Cunha’s biggest impact
Cunha’s goals and flair on the left flank will be a big hit at Old Trafford, with many fans hoping he will become the first proper Brazilian success story at United.
However, when speaking with former teammates Rio Ferdinand, United legend Wayne Rooney stated that he felt the 26-year-old’s biggest impact is going to be his fight and bravado rubbing off on some of the other squad members.
“Do you like him? [Cunha]”, Ferdinand asked. Rooney then responded, “Yeah, I do.”
Ferdinand added: “We were talking about it weren’t we? You want a bit of devilment and a little bit of spice [wearing the number 10].”
Rooney then stated: “You look back at like [Eric] Cantona and Stevie [Steven Gerrard] at Liverpool, they had that little bit of fight and that rubs off on the other players as well. So I think it’s a good signing from that point of view, definitely.”
Cunha’s swagger will be infectious next season
With Mbeumo’s signing, United are guaranteeing a certain level of quality and output, as the Cameroon international has shown himself to be a machine on the pitch, much like club captain Fernandes.
However, Cunha is different – he is much more of a maverick. The Brazilian international has shown himself to be a firey character, but when he is on top of his game, his talent is infectious.
Last season, it felt at times that the forwards at United lacked confidence, which in turn affected their performance on the pitch. But with Cunha at the club, if he can hit the ground running and settle into his new role at Old Trafford, he can lift those around him.
United have been crying out for more players with unwavering drive like Cunha in the last few seasons, and having spent £62.5 million on bringing the player in, Amorim will be hoping his new star forward can haul his boyhood club back into the conversation among the top Premier League sides.
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