Cunha has excelled for Wolves. (Image: 2024 Visionhaus)
Manchester United take on Wolves away from home in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
After beating Manchester City in the derby, United were brought back down to earth as they suffered two defeats in the space of four days against Tottenham and Bournemouth.
United are still in the bottom half of the Premier League table and are just 10 points above Wolves, who are sitting in the relegation zone after a dismal first half of the campaign.
Gary O'Neil was recently sacked by Wolves and Vitor Pereira was hired as his replacement. Pereira oversaw a 3-0 win over Leicester City in his first game in charge and his appointment adds to the intrigue of the Boxing Day clash at Molineux.
So, here are the five things to look for in the game...
Fernandes on the touchline
Ruben Amorim confirmed his assistant, Carlos Fernandes, had assumed responsibility of set-pieces shortly after his arrival but United have looked incredibly vulnerable from such scenarios.
That's not suggesting Fernandes is responsible. Football is a funny game and it's likelier United conceding more from set-pieces after Amorim's appointment is just a coincidence, but it's an issue that needs to be addressed because opponents are suddenly targeting United in that area.
United conceded from two set-pieces against Arsenal and conceded from a single set-piece against each of Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.
The irony is practicing defending at set-pieces was a new addition to the pre-match warm-up introduced by Amorim and it will be worth watching Fernandes on the touchline against Wolves.
Transfer audition for Cunha?
Matheus Cunha has played for RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin and Atletico Madrid, and he seems destined for a more ambitious club than Wolves. The Brazilian signed for Wolves on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023 after a six-month loan and has performed well in a struggling team.
Cunha can play in the different positions across the attacking line - he possesses the qualities to fit into Amorim's system - and might produce a transfer audition for United on Boxing Day.
The 25-year-old has contributed nine goals and three assists this season, and would be attainable in the summer.
Rashford absent again?
Amorim was asked about Marcus Rashford in his press conference and said: "Yeah, it’s my decision. He wants to play, he’s trying. It’s my decision. Only my decision.
"I spoke with a lot of players individually, during trainings, so I try to do things and I am doing things my way and is the only way I know. If I don’t do that, I will lose myself and I will not lose myself.
"When I feel that is the right moment, I will change something. Until then, I will continue to think what is best for the team. I speak with him every day, not about the interview, about the performance."
Rashford has been absent from the last three squads and, with the January window around the corner, it's starting to feel like he might have played his last game for the club.
The Portuguese battle
Super agent Jorge Mendes has had his fair share of dealings with Wolves so it was no surprise to see Gary O'Neill be succeeded by Portuguese coach Pereira, who is a client of Mendes'.
Pereira is a journeyman manager and his average shelf life at a club is one year, but he oversaw a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leicester City in his first game in charge last weekend.
The 56-year-old has been asked about his fellow countryman Amorim and said: "We never played against each other because I am a lot older. I took a lot of time to arrive here [in England] because I made maybe bad steps in my career and missed opportunities to come sooner.
"Amorim is the new generation of Portuguese coach with a lot of talent and communication, tactical, strategical talent and I believe he will do a very good work in the Premier League."
United's strong record
This will be the fifth Boxing Day meeting between Wolves and United but the first since 1969, the same year Neil Armstrong became the first to walk on the moon.
In more recent and relevant history, United have won seven of their last eight Premier League meetings with Wolves, losing the other game at Old Trafford in January 2022.
United's record against Wolves is strong and the last trip to Molineux was entertaining. United led by three goals with 20 minutes remaining and the hosts clawed their way back to make it 3-3, only for Kobbie Mainoo to dramatically pop up in the last seconds to win the game.
Mainoo's matchwinner meant United have won each of their last four visits to Molineux.