Vitor Pereira’s biggest mission in the summer transfer window is finding a replacement for his talisman Matheus Cunha.
Cunha completed his transfer to Manchester United on Sunday, having scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season.
The 26-year-old propelled himself towards the realm of world-class during his time at Molineux, and Dave Edwards wants a technically gifted player signed to fill his void.
The Brazilian international possessed the skill and magic to win football matches on his own, often dragging his Wolves squad to higher levels.
But there was one period in the season when the Old Gold realised life without Cunha may not be as bad as first feared, with Marshall Munetsi offering his verdict.
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Marshall Munetsi offers Wolves hope without Matheus Cunha
Munetsi was signed by Wolves on transfer deadline day with Nasser Djiga. The midfield powerhouse was often used as one of the number 10s behind Jorgen Strand Larsen, with licence to press from the front.
In most games, Munetsi’s hard work was used as a foil for Strand Larsen, opening up space for the Norwegian to thrive.
Some Wolves fans have criticised Munetsi, feeling he doesn’t offer the technical attributes to play so advanced, but his relentless energy and pressing were vital to staying up.
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When Cunha was suspended for four matches between March and April, supporters were worried about missing his world-class quality, but instead, they were proven wrong as Wolves won three and drew one without him available.
It showed that Pereira’s men didn’t always need to rely on their Brazilian to produce a moment of magic, with Munetsi praising how well his team did in Cunha’s absence and offering hope for next season.
“We had a time where Matheus (Cunha) was suspended and he was the player that we needed most and I think everybody really pushed from there because people already considered that if Matheus is not there, then we’re going to struggle,” the 28-year-old told the E&S.
“But I think everybody understood the objective and I think as players we really wanted the team to stay high.
“Even when I came, I saw the quality that was there. It was important to win a lot of games, but obviously winning six in a row was something that was really special.”
Munetsi’s stats for Wolves in 2024/25
Munetsi was signed by Pereira to supposedly play as a box-to-box midfielder but with the unbreakable bond of Andre and Joao Gomes forming, alongside a lack of depth in attacking midfield, the Zimbabwe star played further forward.
Marshall Munetsi’s Wolves stats 2024/25
14 games
2 goals
1 assist
1.6 shots per game
3 big chances created
1.7 tackles per game
2.5 balls recovered per game
The former Stade Reims star was able to score two goals in 14 appearances and lay on one assist, but it was his defensive work that stood out the most, including 2.5 ball recoveries and 1.7 tackles per game.
It will be interesting to see whether the midfielder powerhouse is used in a deeper role next term, though for now, Munetsi has sent a stern transfer message to Wolves after Cunha’s departure.