Matheus Cunha is getting his first taste of what it’s like to be at Manchester United where every action is analysed intensely, which is what Caio Ribeiro did after Brazil’s win vs Paraguay.
The 1-0 win for Brazil was orchestrated by Matheus Cunha on his first start since his Man Utd transfer agreement was confirmed.
Cunha assisted Vinicius Jr’s goal which turned out to be the winner, while his whole game was a talking point from moments of inspiration to moments of madness.
In between all the talking points, ex-Brazilian international Caio Ribeiro noticed something about Cunha’s attitude that would be of value to Ruben Amorim.
Photo by MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP via Getty Images
Caio Ribeiro on Matheus Cunha’s attitude vs Paraguay
Cunha started behind Vinicius Jr against Paraguay and played 79 minutes five days after coming off the bench and playing 26 against Ecuador.
It was his first start under Carlo Ancelotti and also his first since he became a Man Utd player so he would have known that most eyes would be on him.
After he had missed an incredible chance in the 34th minute to give Brazil the lead, he assisted Vinicius Jr 10 minutes later with a piece of play that caught Caio Ribeiro’s eye.
Ribeiro analysed Cunha’s role in the goal and spoke about his attitude which allowed him to ‘take the initiative’ for the goal.
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He said (via Lance!): “Vini scored the goal, as a center forward, occupying the space that Matheus, through his movement, provides. The attitude is what caught my attention the most in the first half because when Raphinha accelerates, three people gather on top of him.
“Then someone will be left alone, and there will be space for the player on the side. Matheus Cunha’s attitude, initiative, and focus to take advantage of this gap is what makes him steal the ball, project himself, and serve the better-positioned teammate. A result that Brazil deserved.”
Cunha looking increasingly perfect for Ruben Amorim
At the risk of getting carried away, it seems clearer with every game and analysis that Cunha is tailor-made for Ruben Amorim, tactically and from a man-management perspective.
The ability he showed against Paraguay to come back from a missed chance and have a say in the winner speaks volumes about his mentality.
The same is the case for Ribeiro’s analysis, as Cunha executed a bit of selfless play where he created the chance through sheer will and determination.
Quality on the ball combined with hard work off it, all the while having the mentality to come back from a low moment is exactly the type of player Amorim needs.
The final hurdle will always be whether he can keep doing it in Man Utd colours but nothing he has shown so far suggests that he won’t be able to.