Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha has now completed a move to Manchester United.
Man United met the release clause in Matheus Cunha’s contract and Wolves subsequently gave Ruben Amorim’s side permission to conclude a deal.
Therefore, Cunha will be lining up at Old Trafford next term, a very exciting proposition for United fans.
26-year-old Cunha was in strong form for Wolves last season, netting 15 Premier League goals for a side who were battling relegation prior to an upturn in form under Vitor Pereira.
However, a move for Cunha might still be a risk for United, and the Brazilian’s former coach has explained why.
Matheus Cunha might be a risky choice for Man United
Speaking in an interview with Guardian Sport last month, former Wolves assistant head coach Ian Burchnall made some interesting comments about Cunha behind the scenes.
Burchnall praised Cunha a ton, saying ‘he makes magic happen every day’.
However, the coach also made a potentially worrying admission from a United point of view — Cunha doesn’t like to spend hours working on tactics.
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
READ MORE: David Beckham says current Manchester United players don’t understand what the badge means in brutal criticism
Burchnall instead explained that Cunha liked to play on ‘instinct’, something which might not be good news for Amorim who is trying to build a cohesive tactical unit at Old Trafford.
He said: “He’s a player that plays on his instinct, he doesn’t like to spend hours looking through opposition and tactical bits.
“He likes to feel the game and more play on instincts than anything, which obviously when a lot of coaches are working on deep tactical work, he doesn’t always slot into that because those sorts of free spirits are not seen as much.
“But if you can get him into the positions where he likes to be and then allow him that freedom, I think you get a lot out of Matheus.”
Ruben Amorim’s Matheus Cunha gamble could still pay off
Whilst Cunha’s maverick type qualities are brilliant at times, perhaps the attitude explained above could be problematic for Amorim.
It’s perceived that Bruno Fernandes already likes to do his own thing and deviate from the game plan at times, another maverick who is rightfully celebrated for those qualities.
And whilst Fernandes might leave United, it’s clearly still a risk to invest £63m in a player like Cunha who might add to the chaos at the club both positively and negatively at times.
If the deal works, Amorim will have signed a talent who the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will suddenly feel silly to have missed out on.
However, if Cunha’s individuality ultimately proves an issue in Manchester, perhaps there will be recruiters at other top sides confessing that they saw it coming.