Alexis Sanchez, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Memphis Depay. How many marquee forwards have wilted under the weight of the Manchester United shirt?
Put together a United team of the decade, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any attackers worthy of inclusion, with only Marcus Rashford ever really showcasing stellar form over a sustained period.
It is still early days, yet hopefully Matheus Cunha can buck the trend, the enigmatic Brazilian one of the few who seems to relish the responsibility of pulling on this famed red jersey.
Indeed, 2025/26 marked a promising start for the £62.5m signing, but what lies in store for the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man heading into the upcoming campaign?
What Cunha’s best role should be for Man Utd this season
It’s easy to forget now that Cunha had endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford, memorably missing his spot-kick on that grim night away at Grimsby, while also waiting until late October to score his first Premier League goal.
By May, the 27-year-old had reached double figures in terms of league goals, following a particularly strong purple patch under Michael Carrick, his finest moment undoubtedly coming amid his thumping winner away at the Emirates.
With his surfboard celebration in hand, Cunha is swiftly bolstering his reputation among the United faithful, while his global status was also enhanced after shining for his country at the World Cup, having scored three in just four starts for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
That recent international form came with the ex-Atletico Madrid forward lining up in something of a false nine role, with there an argument that he could find his home in that same starting berth under Carrick’s watch.
Indeed, he’s unlikely to oust Bruno Fernandes from his starting role as the number ten, while Cunha isn’t exactly a natural left-winger, having left United short on width at times last season.
With the returning Marcus Rashford also now to be thrown into the mix on that flank, alongside the improving Patrick Dorgu, the South American might be best utilised through the middle, with Benjamin Sesko in reserve.
He’s a player that can lead the press so effectively, and is immense at fending off defenders and making it stick, while most importantly, he loves an attempt on goal, having averaged 2.7 shots per game across 2025/26.
|
Man Utd – Mins per Goal (25/26 PL) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Mins per Goal |
Goals |
|
Sesko |
149 |
11 |
|
Mbeumo |
238 |
11 |
|
Cunha |
250 |
10 |
|
Casemiro |
288 |
9 |
|
Zirkzee |
333 |
3 |
|
Mount |
339 |
3 |
|
Fernandes |
341 |
9 |
|
Dorgu |
365 |
4 |
An impressive signing he’s been so far either way, and one that showcases the benefits of proven Premier League quality.
Why Man Utd’s next signing could have Cunha vibes
Whether it be due to the inflated market or the need for ready-made signings, this summer has been dominated by moves within the Premier League, be it Tottenham Hotspur snapping up Sandro Tonali, Arsenal pushing for Bruno Guimaraes or Chelsea signing Morgan Rogers.
In United’s case, INEOS have followed suit by poaching Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Stamford Bridge and Villa Park, respectively, the pair joining for a combined fee of around £85m.
A third midfielder still appears to be on the agenda, finances permitting, with journalist Ben Jacobs – speaking to the United Stand – revealing that Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is still “open” to joining the club this summer.
“Scott is open to several clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea. So if he’s genuinely available, then it’s quite an open race at the moment.
“And I wouldn’t read too much into Chelsea’s bid suggesting that they’re more serious than other clubs.”
As noted by Jacobs, Chelsea have already seen a bid of around £64m rejected by the Cherries, but there is no clear frontrunner at this stage, ensuring the door has been left ajar if Scott doesn’t commit to a new deal at the Vitality Stadium.
Considering his former England U21 colleague, Elliot Anderson, has just been sold for £116m, Scott is unlikely to come cheap, but there’s certainly reason why top-flight clubs are queuing up for his signature.
Indeed, the former Bristol City starlet is such a natural, graceful talent, the type of classy midfielder who would seemingly be perfect for Carrick’s controlled, possession-heavy style.
Where the 22-year-old particularly excels is with regard to his ball-carrying prowess, almost mirroring Cunha in the way he can drag his team forward from deep in slaloming style.
In the likes of Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, United don’t exactly possess a crop of midfielders who can weave their way past the opposition, with much of the progression coming via Cunha from the left flank last season.
United’s number ten notably ranked in the top 25% of wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for both progressive carries and carries into the final third per 90, so often seen powering his way up the pitch.
Scott certainly does the same, albeit perhaps in more graceful style, having ranked in the top 15% and the top 17% of midfielders for those same two metrics, respectively.
That ability to suck players toward him is so effective, with the Bournemouth man notably winning 1.6 fouls per game on average last season, the same record Cunha achieved at United.
Where Scott also mirrors Cunha, aside from having proven himself in the Premier League, is just what a combative asset he is off the ball, never afraid to put his foot in and contribute for his team defensively.
For instance, he ranked in the top 18% for recoveries made per 90, as well as in the top 10% for box clearances per 90, with there certainly steel to match the silk it would seem.
Considering that likeness to Cunha, this is the type of signing that could quickly represent a coup for INEOS.