Matheus Cunha has set the pulses racing at Manchester United, and Rio Ferdinand can be counted among those excited by his arrival, albeit with one fear he hopes will be allayed soon.
The hype around Matheus Cunha is unreal. Not only is he the first summer signing for Ruben Amorim and Ineos, but it’s a move reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson’s transfer template.
Omar Berrada has compared Cunha to Eric Cantona, while Jason Wilcox didn’t hold back in his praise either.
While all that can be overwhelming for the player, Cunha relishes pressure, which is why Rio Ferdinand is excited by his signing too.
If only he can end a vicious cycle at Old Trafford in the process…
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United is signing his contract.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand on hopes for Matheus Cunha
Nobody at Man Utd will be thinking of Cunha as the sole saviour of a team whose arrival will instantly turn the team into contenders.
Having said, Cunha’s impact on Wolves was talismanic, as he shone for a team that regularly flirted with relegation.
United needed a mercurial talent like that who can take the games by the scruff of their neck and raise his hand up in difficult times.
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Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, was enthused by Cunha’s arrival, saying he was one of the players he wanted United to sign.
However, he put forward a vicious cycle that has engulfed United signings in the past and hoped Cunha would be the one to break it.
He said: “I’m happy with Cunha, he’s one of the ones I mentioned on my list. I hope it goes well for him. The problem is that I’ve been happy many times in transfer windows and it’s gone wrong. I’m hoping he’s not going to be added to that list.”
Cunha is well-placed to break the cycle
Man Utd fans can be forgiven for feeling like they’ve been here before, much like Ferdinand, because every signing at the time gives a dopamine hit.
However, the winds of change truly feel like they are flowing over Carrington when all the factors are taken into account.
Amorim promised good days ahead, Ineos have a settled executive structure, the upheaval in the staff is settled, a full pre-season will be had, and Cunha is ideal for the tactical system.
One or two of these factors have been present for previous signings, but not all of them at the same time.
It gives hope that this transfer window will be the precursor to the revival of United, and Cunha can be seen in the future as the one whose arrival started it all.
Breaking the vicious cycle of new signings being engulfed by the club’s malaise has never looked more possible.