Being compared to Eric Cantona is arguably the greatest honour for Manchester United players and if the CEO of the club is making that comparison, there’s nothing better.
That is the place Matheus Cunha finds himself in after CEO Omar Berrada lavished praise on a quality he has that reminds him of Eric Cantona’s.
Despite not being a serial goalscorer having the longevity of Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, Cantona is widely regarded as the maverick figure of Sir Alex Ferguson’s time.
If Matheus Cunha matches even half of those heights, Man Utd should expect a very successful time in the near future.
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United poses for a photo after signing his contract with the club
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Omar Berrada praises ‘Cantona-esque’ Matheus Cunha
Compared to Cantona by the club CEO before even kicking a ball for Manchester United – no pressure, Matheus Cunha!
Cunha became Man Utd’s first summer signing after the club triggered his release clause to sign him from Wolves for an early start to the summer.
Cunha’s impact on Wolves was Cantona-esque, as he regularly stood out as the talisman for a side that was routinely engaged in a fight to avoid relegation.
Whether he repeats those exploits will be seen next season but Omar Berrada is not doubting him at all.
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Speaking to Andy Mitten for United We Stand magazine (via The Athletic), Berrada talked up Cunha’s “swagger”, claiming the fans are going to love him.
He said: “He’s a player that I think fans are going to love. We can talk about his technical abilities and he can play in three different positions. He’s a playmaking attacking midfielder; he can score goals, he can make assists.
“I think he’s going to lift people off their seats. He’s got a bit of a swagger about him that people are going to really like. Dare I say, (Eric) Cantona-esque.”
Cunha is a personality Man Utd needed
At the risk of hyping up a player too much before he’s played a game, which is what Berrada has done here, Cunha does seem like a player who relishes the pressure.
That is where many players at United have faltered in recent history as they were submerged under the criticism and the scrutiny that comes with playing for Man Utd.
Cunha has the carefree confidence to not just handle that pressure, but to raise his game to match his new surroundings.
The comparison to Cantona is a tall one, but having the self-belief to achieve those heights is the first step to actually doing so.
Berrada certainly seems to think he can.