Manchester United have confirmed an agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers after activating his £62.5 million release clause. The Brazilian forward has been in Manchester to finalize the details of a five-year contract, with the option of an additional year, following a successful medical examination. The deal will be officially completed once Cunha returns from his international duty with Brazil.
The club announced the signing is subject to visa and registration formalities and expressed excitement to welcome Cunha to Old Trafford. This signing comes as part of a wider effort by United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, who is looking to reshape the squad significantly during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Cunha, 26, has recently been called up for his first Brazil squad by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. The forward has earned 13 caps for his country and scored 17 goals across all competitions for Wolves this past season, highlighting his growing influence and goal-scoring prowess.
At Wolves, Cunha thrived in a similar 3-4-3 formation to the one Amorim prefers, playing under Vítor Pereira. Despite Wolves flirting with relegation, Cunha’s performances stood out, earning him the club’s Player of the Year award. His journey to this point has been varied, starting his professional career in Switzerland with Sion, moving to Germany to play for RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin, then transferring to Atlético Madrid. Although his stint in La Liga was challenging and he struggled to make an impact, a loan move to Wolves in January 2023 revitalized his career, leading to a permanent transfer at the season’s end.
Cunha has expressed a strong desire to take the next step in his career, stating that he wants to compete for titles and achieve big things, confident in his potential to do so. This ambition aligns well with United’s current situation, as the club endured its worst season in 51 years, finishing 15th in the league, just one spot above Wolves.
To address the poor campaign, United have allocated a transfer budget of £100 million for the summer, with the possibility of this figure increasing through player sales. The club is reportedly open to offers for a large portion of its squad, including young talents Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Even Bruno Fernandes, the club captain, is linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
While Cunha’s talent is undeniable, questions remain about his temperament. Over the past season, he faced two suspensions, including an incident involving an altercation with a member of Ipswich’s staff and a red card in an FA Cup match against Bournemouth after clashing with Milos Kerkez, which led to a four-match ban.
Despite these disciplinary issues, Ruben Amorim remains focused on improving the team’s core and academy, which he believes is the club’s future. Speaking during the club’s post-season tour in Malaysia, Amorim emphasized a strategic approach depending on whether the club qualifies for the Champions League. Without Champions League football, the squad size can be controlled more effectively, reducing the need for a large roster.
Amorim revealed the club has prepared two plans: one with Champions League football and one without. Regardless, there is a clear intention to bring in new players while focusing heavily on nurturing talent from the academy. This dual approach reflects an understanding that rebuilding Manchester United will require both smart acquisitions and a strong foundation of homegrown players.
Matheus Cunha’s arrival marks a key part of this rebuilding effort. His ability to play as a No 10 fits the tactical system Amorim envisions, offering creativity and goal threat in the attacking midfield role. With his proven ability to perform under pressure and desire to compete at the highest level, Cunha is expected to become a vital figure in Manchester United’s revival plans. The coming months will be critical as the club completes the signing and integrates him into a squad aiming to bounce back from a difficult season.
