Matheus Cunha is a breath of fresh air. |
With rumors suggesting the Brazilian striker is set to arrive at Old Trafford after the 2024/25 season, Manchester United fans have reason to be hopeful – and also quite a few reasons to be concerned.
Not a machine - Cunha plays football with his heart.
When asked if he considered football a "serious job," Cunha once replied succinctly: "I don't want to be a robot. I want to enjoy it."
That's not just empty talk. On the field, he moves spontaneously, sometimes straying from his tactical position, but delivers explosive moments that few players can create.
Cunha is the kind of player that modern football is gradually losing: creative, unconventional, and unpredictable. With Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim employing a 3-4-3 system, the Brazilian forward could fill the "left-sided number 10" role – a position where he excels at Wolves.
He not only scores goals but also provides assists, dribbles, and disrupts opposing defenses. In the 2024/25 season, Cunha scored 15 goals and provided 6 assists in the Premier League.
Cunha is set to join Manchester United. |
However, along with his inspiration came a volatile temperament. Cunha received two major penalties in a single season: once after the defeat against Ipswich, and once during a tense FA Cup match. He publicly criticized the local media when scrutinized, despite still being immensely popular with Wolves fans. At Man Utd – where the pressure and expectations are much greater – would that kind of freedom be tolerated?
No one in the Wolves dressing room doubted Cunha's talent. Rodrigo Gomes described him as a player "who can create chances at any time, even when surrounded by three or four men." Veteran defender Nelson Semedo – who once played alongside Messi and Ronaldo – offered sincere praise: "He comes from a good family, has the technical qualities of a Brazilian, and is at the peak of his career."
Semedo also revealed a match against Man Utd where Wolves were leading and focused on defending. But Cunha was different – he wanted to push forward, to score more goals, to achieve more. That desire was sometimes controversial, but it was also what made him stand out.
Cunha is also not the ideal center forward. Former Wolves manager Gary O'Neil once tried to mold him into a number 9 – because he had no other option. But Cunha lacks the goal-scoring instinct in the penalty area like Haaland, doesn't make constant runs, and doesn't press defenders like a classic center forward.
He prefers to drop deep, hold the ball, turn, and build up play – more like a playmaker than a goalscorer. However, Cunha improved his finishing – exemplified by his hat-trick against Chelsea – and consistently made his mark in big matches, including an outstanding performance at Old Trafford despite Wolves losing.
Cunha had a breakout season in 2024/25. |
The story between Cunha and manager O'Neil is also a testament to his fiery yet ambitious nature. After being substituted in one of his best games of the season, Cunha was upset, even rebellious. But instead of punishing him, the manager engaged in dialogue. And it was thanks to that understanding that Cunha exploded, becoming the brightest star at Molineux for two consecutive seasons.
A recognized talent – but needs its own ecosystem.
At 25, Cunha is entering the prime of his career. His talent, creativity, and on-field composure are undeniable. The question is, does Man Utd have the environment – and the patience – to help this "maverick" reach his full potential?
In a team struggling to rediscover its identity and effectiveness, Cunha's presence could make a difference. He may not be the ideal solution for every system, but he could be the piece that creates a breakthrough.
Matheus Cunha is not an easy player to coach, nor is he the type of striker who "fits easily" into a tactical system. But if used correctly, he could become a new emotional icon at Old Trafford – a place that has witnessed unconventional figures like Eric Cantona and Carlos Tevez make history.
Man Utd won't be acquiring a machine. They will be acquiring a football artist. And if they know how to inspire that artist, Old Trafford will shine brightly again.
Source: https://znews.vn/bom-tan-62-5-trieu-bang-la-canh-bac-cam-xuc-cua-mu-post1554333.html
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