Man United have wasted no time in putting their own stamp of authority on this summer's transfer window, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Matheus Cunha poses with a Premier League Man of the Match award.
Matheus Cunha has joined Manchester United in a big-money deal.(Image: Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images.)
It says a lot about Matheus Cunha's character that he wanted to join Manchester United this summer regardless of the outcome of last month's Europa League final.
After several months of speculation, Cunha completed his £62.5million switch to Old Trafford from Wolves on Sunday, ensuring United made a successful start to this summer's transfer window.
United had earmarked the Brazil international as one of their primary targets several months ago, identifying him as a perfect fit for head coach Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation.
Thanks to his £62.5m release clause, which United will pay instalments, it was a relatively straightforward deal to get over the line. It also helped that Cunha was so determined to swap Molineux for Old Trafford.
Even after United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham in Bilbao, the prospect of Cunha moving to Old Trafford was never in doubt.
Recruiting a player of that character has instantly secured Cunha some brownie points from United's supporters, who are desperate for the club to sign players this summer that genuinely want to move to Old Trafford.
And that is the criteria Amorim has set when it comes to United's recruitment this summer, admitting in April that he only wants to sign players who want to join United and help the club move forwards, opposed to moving to Old Trafford and using the move as a gateway to the Champions League.
Asked if he had spoken to Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, who continues to be linked with a move to United, Amorim said: "I didn't talk to Viktor. But if a player only wants to come to Man United to play Champions League, then he won't come.
"We want players who want to represent United, not players who want to play [in] certain competitions."
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim waves to the fans in Malaysia.
Ruben Amorim's recruitment needs are specific.
United will be unable to offer any form of European football to prospective signings for next season having finished 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final, meaning they will be forced to focus on the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup next term.
As damaging as that will be in a financial sense, one thing that could work to United's advantage is that they will develop an understanding of which players want to move to M16 purely for the thrill and excitement of playing for a club steeped in such history.
In Cunha, United have made a good start on that front amid his desire to join the club come what may this summer. United will now be hoping to continue signing players this summer with an identical mindset and hunger to join the club.