Matheus Cunha, Ruben Amorim, Man United
Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media / Imago
Keith Hackett
Mon 9 June 2025 13:47, UK
Man United psychologists will need to work closely with Matheus Cunha to avoid being punished for his antics on the pitch, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, while he would never want to see a player stripped of their passion, the former Wolves man has been known for his flare-ups.
Cunha only received four yellow cards in the Premier League 2024/25 season, with his single red card being awarded after clashing with Milos Kerkez in Wolves’ FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth in March.
However, the 26-year-old also faced retrospective action from the FA after “improper conduct” against one of Ipswich Town‘s staff members at full-time of a feisty 2-1 loss at Molineux in December.
BREAKING: Wolves forward Matheus Cunha has received a two-game ban and fined £80,000 after admitting a misconduct charge for his actions at the end of the team’s defeat 2-1 to Ipswich on December 14th 🚨 pic.twitter.com/5KECaa5RMo
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 31, 2024
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Man United trigger Matheus Cunha release clause
The Red Devils have already confirmed the signing of Cunha, triggering the £62.5million release clause in the attacker’s contract, and given his performances, it is easy to see why.
With 15 goals and six assists in 33 games, the Brazilian helped to keep his team in the Premier League, with Football Insider understanding that Vitor Pereira and Wolves are set for showdown contract talks.
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There are no doubts over the playmaker’s abilities on the pitch, but with the potential for his emotions to bubble over, Hackett has warned Ruben Amorim of the dangers ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Matheus Cunha, Wolves
Credit: Imago
Matheus Cunha concerns emerge at Old Trafford
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said:
“One of the dangers of officiating or playing in front of a large crowd is the driving of adrenaline. You never want to take away the passion of playing a game from a football player.
“When I look at players I refereed myself, the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Diego Maradona, and George Best, many of them had that passion, that will to win, and didn’t accept losing.
“That follows through that they’re also watching the game with a great deal of bias. They believe that everything they do is right, or that the decisions the referee makes are wrong.
Man United manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim must watch Matheus Cunha. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
“Players need discipline. This is something the sports psychologists at Man United will work on [with Cunha] to stop his flare-ups, which have happened in the past.
“Getting a red card, or even a yellow, putting them at risk of a second yellow, can mean departing the pitch earlier than the full-time whistle. That’s down to the club manager to recognise a weakness in the player.”
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