Figures show that Cunha will be a quality signing for MU.

Matheus Cunha is a perfect fit for Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 formation and has proven over the past two years that he is more capable of impressing in the Premier League than ever before.

According to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic , MU has been officially allowed by Wolves to complete the deal to recruit Matheus Cunha after agreeing to pay the full contract release clause worth 62.5 million pounds for the Brazilian striker.

According to the plan, Matheus Cunha will undergo a medical examination in the next few days. If there are no last-minute surprises, he will sign a 5-year contract with the "Red Devils" and make his debut in the early stages of the summer.

Quality goal output

Cunha is undoubtedly one of Wolves’ key attackers, if not their most important, and has enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 campaign for Wolves, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 36 appearances, mainly in the No.10 role.

Cunha had a brilliant 2024/25 season for Wolves with 15 goals and 6 assists. Photo: Opta.

The Brazilian’s performance puts him in the top 10 this season for both team goals (27.8% – 9th) and goal/assistance (38.9% – 9th) in the Premier League. Those figures are similar to the previous season, when he was ranked ninth (24.0% of goals scored) and fourth (38.0% of assists) in the Wolves squad.

With 39 non-penalty goal contributions in 65 Premier League appearances since the start of the 2023-24 season, Cunha ranks behind only seven players in terms of attacking output. Notably, none of those players play for clubs in the relegation zone.

For Wolves alone, that's more than double the tally of any other player over the past two seasons (Jørgen Strand Larsen is second with 18).

However, Cunha is not just good at scoring goals. One of the main highlights of the 26-year-old's game is his ability to dribble and progress the ball.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Cunha is in the top 15 for shots (55) and assists (38) for his team after dribbling. With Wolves often playing deep and looking to counter-attack, the Brazilian’s ability to carry the ball long distances is also a valuable weapon.

Specifically, Cunha traveled an average of 8.8 m when dribbling forward. Among players who traveled at least 2,000 m through progressive dribbling, only Anthony Elanga (10.4 m) and Chiedozie Ogbene (10.8 m) had a greater average distance.

Cunha not only scored goals but also created, dribbled and stirred up the opponent's defense. Photo: Opta.

Having to shoulder the ball-carrying duties also helps Cunha rank highly for dribbles. Only two players, Jérémy Doku and Mohammed Kudus, have completed more dribbles in the Premier League since the start of the 2023-24 season than Cunha (290), while he is also in the top four for dribbles in the opposition half (213).

The right piece for MU

One of the most appealing aspects of Matheus Cunha's move to United is that he seems like a natural fit for Ruben Amorim's system.

This comes after the 26-year-old spent much of last season playing in a similar formation, with both Gary O'Neil and then Vítor Pereira deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation at Wolves – the exact system Amorim has committed to since his first days at Old Trafford.

Cunha often operated as a left-sided No. 10 in that formation, playing 61% of his minutes in that position. When in possession, Cunha's side often switched to a 3-3-2-2 shape — a structure Wolves used 34.1% of the time under Pereira.

Under Amorim, a similar structure was also regularly switched by MU with 32.4% of the playing time on the pitch.

The Brazilian midfielder often operates as a left-sided No. 10 in a 3-4-2-1 formation at Wolves, playing 61% of his minutes in that position. Photo: Opta.

When switching to this formation, Cunha primarily played as one of two advanced strikers, but also showed comfort dropping deeper into a supporting midfield role to progress the ball from his own half to the other side of the pitch.

There has been talk of Amorim inheriting a squad with some players who do not fit his preferred system, with Alejandro Garnacho, for example, reportedly on the way out after struggling to adapt to the role of one of two No. 10s playing behind the striker.

Cunha, meanwhile, appears to be a genuine No. 10. He likes to drop deep, hold the ball up, turn and develop the game – more of a playmaker than a goalscorer.

At 25, Cunha is entering the prime of his career. His talent, creativity, and ability on the pitch are no longer in question. The question is, do Man Utd have the environment – ​​and the patience – to help this “arrogant” reach his full potential?

Source: https://znews.vn/so-lieu-cho-thay-cunha-se-la-ban-hop-dong-chat-luong-cua-mu-post1556563.html