Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for the 2025-26 season. The 26-year-old Brazilian forward joins the Red Devils for £62.5 million, with the club activating his release clause. Cunha has signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year, subject to visa and registration approval.
The transfer fee will be paid in three instalments over two years. This move marks United’s first signing of the summer transfer window, as manager Ruben Amorim aims to strengthen the squad after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. But is Cunha the saviour that Man Utd has been waiting for all these years, especially after the recent failures in the attacking line, which saw both Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee fail at the Theatre of Dreams?
We discuss the Matheus Cunha transfer to the Red Devils in depth and his potential ceiling at the club.
A Perfect Fit for Amorim’s System
Cunha brings versatility and goal-scoring ability to Manchester United. At Wolves, he primarily played as a No. 10 in a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system similar to Amorim’s preferred setup. His ability to operate as a left-sided attacking midfielder or centre-forward offers tactical flexibility.
Cunha’s ball-carrying skills, with a 55.2% take-on success rate, surpass United’s current forwards, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. He can drop deep to link play or make runs in behind, adding dynamism to United’s attack. His 60% big-chance conversion rate in the Premier League over the past two seasons is higher than Cole Palmer’s (53%), Alexander Isak’s (49%), and Mohamed Salah’s (48%).
His Most Prolific Season
In the 2024-25 season, Cunha scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 33 Premier League matches for Wolves, despite missing six games due to suspensions. Across his two-and-a-half seasons at Wolves, he recorded 27 goals and 13 assists in 65 Premier League games.
His standout performances include scoring directly from a corner against United. Earning man-of-the-match honours in both of Wolves’ league wins against them. These stats highlight his ability to perform against top opposition.
His goal involvement rate stands at 0.75 per 90 minutes, placing him in the top percentile for attacking output in the league. Cunha’s ability to score both at home and away, with 7 and 8 goals respectively, highlights his consistency.
Is Cunha the Answer to Man Utd’s Attacking Struggles?
Manchester United’s acquisition of Cunha aims to address their attacking challenges. The club struggled to find reliable goal scorers last season. Bruno Fernandes and Amad lead the Premier League scoring charts for United with only eight goals each. Previous signings in the forward position, such as Rasmus Høylund and Joshua Zirkzee, failed to make a significant impact, highlighting the need for a proven goal threat.
Hojlund scored three goals in 26 games, while Zirkzee managed three in 31 before a season-ending injury. Cunha’s arrival could address this issue, as his goal-scoring record and creativity surpass both players. His experience in a similar tactical system suggests he can adapt quickly and contribute immediately.
Cunha’s signing is a statement of intent from United, who aim to rebuild after finishing 15th in the Premier League. His versatility, work rate, and clinical finishing could help ease the creative burden on Bruno Fernandes, who led United’s scoring with eight goals last season.
