One new big-name attacker has joined Manchester United in Matheus Cunha, but talisman Bruno Fernandes could be on the way out in the coming week.
Manchester United have completed a £62.5m deal to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he is expected to bring his maverick style into one of Rúben Amorim‘s inside 10 roles.
But Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal have made a mind-blowing offer to United’s current talisman, Bruno Fernandes, and want any potential deal completed this upcoming week.
With Fernandes reportedly taking the offer into serious consideration, and United’s stance being that they will not block the path of their club captain if he decides he wants to leave, then how he is replaced is a big problem that United need to solve.
Cunha’s arrival could well be a key part of that, and UtdDistrict outline both what the Brazilian brings to United and what else needs to be done in the event that Fernandes leaves.
What does Matheus Cunha bring?
The 26-year-old attacker brings a number of qualities that Amorim will appreciate and could potentially replace some of what Fernandes would leave behind.
Cunha has the bravery and desire to make things happen in the final third, like Fernandes, and has a range of creative methods to generate opportunities for his team. At Wolves, he was very much their leading man in attack and finished with six assists in the league.
Cunha is also a skilled ball striker and enjoys taking a lot of shots. His shot selection is not the best, as he often takes shots in situations where it does not make sense. However, the bravery to go for the goal saw him score 15 goals in the Premier League last season, while United do not shoot or score enough.
In tight spaces and 1v1/2v2 situations, Cunha finds solutions well, and he also offers United an outlet in attack to counter high pressure, effectively combining his physical strength and technical quality in those situations. He also carries the ball well, a skill that is not typically a part of Fernandes’ game.
A physically strong player with excellent technical skills, what stands out about Cunha is his desire to get on the ball and make things happen. He plays with bravery and style, something that could work well with Fernandes if he stays, or if he replaces some key qualities if he goes.
What else do Manchester United need?
If Fernandes goes, it is far from just his final third qualities that United will miss – they will need at least two players. The Portuguese midfielder is one of the most tireless runners in world football, and with Cunha not being active out of possession, the need for United to replace this would be even greater.
For much of Amorim’s time at United, Fernandes has played deeper – often alongside Casemiro – and the pair have put in an incredible amount of work in an area that demands a lot from them. Fernandes wins the ball back constantly for United, as well as joining the press from the front.
Read More: Rio Ferdinand claims Manchester United have already missed out on ‘Rúben Amorim’s perfect player’, he went for less than Matheus Cunha
Additionally, in those deeper positions, he is often responsible for getting United up the pitch and offers creativity through his wide passing range. Casemiro also has an impressive range, but playing every single game is now difficult for him.
Kobbie Mainoo is still developing his long passing, but in terms of playmaking from deep, he has excellent qualities, and he also dominates his duels, albeit he is not the best at defending big spaces. Young Sekou Kone has impressed in United’s post-season tour, but ideally, United will need another deeper midfielder to support in this area.
That midfielder needs to be someone willing to work defensively, covering space intelligently, as well as having the ability to play with the ball to help control the tempo for United, beat pressure on the turn, and progress them up the pitch.
Ideally, they will also possess some leadership qualities, something United will sorely miss if Fernandes were to leave.
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