Man United will be determined to see the very best of Matheus Cunha after recently joining the club from Wolves.
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Matheus Cunha poses for an official photograph inside Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha will be keen to make his mark at Manchester United.(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
New Manchester United recruit Matheus Cunha has already hinted that being granted freedom will be the key to him making a name for himself at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian international finalised his move to M16 last week after United triggered his £62.5million release clause earlier this month. He has joined from Wolves on a five-year deal.
Cunha is expected to add goals and creativity to United's attack after plundering an impressive 17 goals for Wolves in 2024/25.
The 26-year-old will have aspirations of making an immediate impact in his debut season at Old Trafford. He is expected to occupy the left-sided No.10 role in Ruben Amorim's trademark 3-4-2-1 system.
Well-versed in a three-at-the-back formation, Cunha should be able to adapt to Amorim's methods and demands relatively comfortably. He is a specialist No.10 and is capable of making things happen.
In his first interview as a United player that was released last Friday, Cunha opened up on how former Wolves boss Gary O'Neil's advice improved him as a player.
Cunha said: "At the time we changed the manager, he came in and told me, 'Matheus, I can only say to you, be a little bit more free'. He gave me all the confidence to play well.
"It was a little bit easier because I did well last season, 14 goals. I think I did this only because he came and said to me to be free, show yourself. They were important words for me. Coming from Atletico was a little bit hard."
In charge at Molineux between August 2023 and December 2024, O'Neil got a consistent tune out of Cunha, with the former Atletico Madrid forward scoring 22 goals and registering 12 assists in 55 appearances under the 42-year-old.
Matheus Cunha celebrates after scoring for Wolves at Molineux.
Matheus Cunha will add goals and energy to Manchester United's attack.
O'Neil's successor, Vitor Pereira, also managed to get the best out of Cunha, who scored nine goals and claimed three assists in 19 matches under his management.
Establishing himself as a creative force, who thrives of both scoring and creating goals, it is hardly surprising United chief executive Omar Berrada is confident Cunha will be a player that gets United's supporters out of their seats.
"He's a player that I think fans are going to love," Berrada told United We Stand. "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, Cantona-esque."
With Berrada hopeful Cunha will bring entertainment to Old Trafford, the attacker's comments about how O'Neil took him to a different level by allowing him to play with the shackles off should offer an insight to Amorim on how to get the best out of him.
Cunha is expected to occupy the left-sided playmaker spot and it will be from that role he will be determined to express himself and pick up from where he left off at Molineux.