Matheus Cunha made it clear earlier this year that he was ready to move on. Speaking to The Guardian in March, the Brazilian forward said he wanted to compete for major trophies and felt he had the ability to do so.
Now, that next step is set to take him from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester United in a transfer worth £62.5 million. The move will see him switch from one lower-half Premier League team to another, but Cunha sees it as a step forward.
Despite joining a side that just experienced its worst top-flight finish since 1973-74 and ended the season without European football, Cunha is excited by the task ahead. He sees United as a major club and does not consider the transfer a gamble.
At 26 and in peak form, the Brazil international is enthusiastic about the prospect of helping revive the fortunes of a struggling squad. While the team finished 42 points behind champions Liverpool, Cunha is not deterred by the scale of the challenge.
Wolves move on, United look to rebuild
Wolves have agreed to the deal, which gives them a significant amount to reinvest. Cunha had become a key figure in their attack but missed several matches near the end of the season due to suspension. The team collected ten points from the four league games he missed after a red card in the FA Cup.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are preparing to reshape their squad. Manager Ruben Amorim is expected to make significant changes, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho likely to leave during the summer window.
The team scored just 44 goals in the Premier League this past season, their lowest total in the competition’s history. In addition to Cunha, United have been linked with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap as they aim to address their attacking problems.
Over the past two seasons, Cunha has found the net 27 times in the league and brings top-flight experience along with a reputation for decisive play. Former England international Fara Williams believes the club is fortunate to still attract players like Cunha based on its historical status.
Creativity, controversy, and potential impact
Cunha’s qualities are not in doubt. Known for his movement, flair, and finishing, he played a central role in Wolves’ attacking efforts. His ability to break down defenses and produce moments of individual brilliance has often been the difference in tight matches.
He equaled the record for most goals scored by a Brazilian in a Premier League season, matching the tallies of Roberto Firmino in 2017-18 and Gabriel Martinelli in 2022-23. Although originally deployed as a central striker, his best performances have come from the left side of midfield.
Cunha’s statistics this season are on par with United’s Bruno Fernandes, with both players scoring six goals from distance and recording 51 shots on target across all competitions. However, he also spent more time walking during games than any other outfield Premier League player, at 77%.
His temperament has raised questions. In March, Cunha was sent off for multiple aggressive actions in a cup tie against Bournemouth, including a headbutt. Earlier in the season, he received a ban for an altercation with Ipswich Town staff.
Some believe this behavior may have discouraged Champions League clubs from making a move. Arsenal and others were reportedly interested earlier in the year but ultimately decided not to pursue him.
Still, not everyone sees his temperament as a problem. Chris Sutton compared the criticism to doubts once cast over Wayne Rooney. Williams suggested Cunha’s outbursts reflected his frustration at being stuck in a relegation fight and surrounded by players who couldn’t match his level.
She believes that in a more ambitious environment with better teammates, his attitude could improve – and that he could be a major asset to Amorim’s plans at Old Trafford.
