Matheus Cunha wants to live up to the responsibility of donning the No.10 shirt worn by the likes of Denis Law, Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistlerooy for Manchester United
16:25, 10 Jul 2025
Matheus Cunha is ready to make his mark at Manchester United
Matheus Cunha is ready to make his mark at Manchester United(Image: Manchester United)
Matheus Cunha is relishing the pressure of wearing the famous No.10 shirt at Manchester United.
The new £62.5m signing has been handed the iconic number after it was taken off rebel Marcus Rashford. Those stars to have worn it in the past at Old Trafford include Denis Law, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And Cunha insists he can't wait to show people he can live up to the standards set by those who've gone before him. The Brazilian international said it will be a "privilege" to wear the shirt - and hopes it can inspire him to match the exploits of his illustrious predecessors at Old Trafford.
Cunha said: "I can mention many players that used this shirt. It's so easy for me. Of course, I think the one that I always think about when I see this number in this shirt for me was Rooney.
"He was someone that I grew up to watch him play, and I have watched many games now. Then I swapped shirts with Marcus after a game. I have his shirt in my home. But, of course, we know many players used this shirt - Van Nistelrooy and Ibrahimovic.
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United arrives for pre-season training at Carrington
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United arrives for pre-season training at Carrington(Image: Manchester United)
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"It's the dream not only to use the shirt, but with all the history they have around the number, it's something beautiful that I have the privilege to do it.
"With every single number, it will be a pleasure to wear the shirt. But, yeah, with this one it's something different. Then, of course, the responsibility comes."
Cunha, who joined United from Wolves, believes he can take his game to another level at Old Trafford.
He added: "I hope I can do everything like goals and assists, to help the team. So this is kind of a very important point for my position.
"We were joking when I went to the locker room, we're talking about some games, especially with Maz [Noussair Mazraoui]. I think it's always with him.
"But, of course, we're talking about the games, we're talking about the seasons and then, yeah, I think everyone was very lovely with me. It was a very warm welcome.
"Every single thing here I'm so excited to do and I look at it like a dream. Then I hope, when we start to kick the ball, it will be a little bit more calm for me to adapt and then I will feel normal on the pitch.
"But, of course, I'm so excited to maybe go and then do everything that I want to do with the shirt and, of course, to go to the locker room and see for the first time the shirt there.
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"That will be something then. I hope I can manage better than I think."