After a season of turmoil, having finished 15th and lost a Europa League final, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are poised to add Matheus Cunha to their ranks – and the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ hotshot has reportedly ‘demanded’ to wear a certain number once he arrives at Old Trafford during talks.
The Red Devils finished their otherwise dismal campaign on a high by beating Champions League-chasing Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday, but Amorim and his entourage are not unaware of the improvements needed ahead of the crucial 2025/26 campaign.
The club’s higher-ups are expected to be busy, and act fast, in this summer’s trading period – and Cunha’s arrival could kickstart a summer of change in M16, one that is especially needed after a record-breaking, and not for good reason, spell under Amorim thus far.
Cunha Demands Certain Shirt Number at Old Trafford
Report suggests he’s to earn £200,000-per-week
Manchester United’s initial proposal to stretch his £62.5 million release clause out over a five-year period was turned down by his Premier League employers – but an improved offer, which includes paying the fee in three instalments over two years, was accepted.
GIVEMESPORT’s Fabrizio Romano has reported that a move is expected to be finalised this week as Manchester United look to conclude important business as early as possible. A verbal agreement over a five-year deal has been reached. But what number will the powerful talisman wear upon his inevitable arrival?
Since 2018, when the enigmatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic left Old Trafford, the iconic number has been worn by Marcus Rashford. The Englishman’s future at his boyhood club looks bleak, thus leaving the door ajar for someone to take the No.10 shirt.
Cunha, according to talkSPORT, is therefore expected to be granted his wish to become Manchester United’s latest No.10. Previous incumbents include the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Wayne Rooney, Denis Law and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
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That, of course, means Cunha has big boots to fill to be remembered in the same vein, but the Brazilian is excited to relish the challenge of being the once-dominant club’s beacon of hope and inspiration, sources close to the man in question have claimed.
Upon arriving at Wolverhampton Wanderers from Atletico Madrid, Cunha – widely regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League right now – adopted the No.12 shirt and wore it for a couple of seasons. He then switched to No.10 in 2024/25.
Elsewhere, a report from The Telegraph has claimed that the 26-year-old, who currently earns £120,000-per-week at Molineux, is in line for a bumper pay day. His wages are expected to increase significantly to around the £200,000-per-week mark.
Whether he can be a roaring success under Amorim remains to be seen – but in 2024/25 alone, the multi-faceted forward notched 17 strikes and a further six assists in all competitions. That would put him, with regard to his record in front of goal, in the upper echelons of the current Old Trafford squad.