Rio Ferdinand’s early prediction for a “free-going” Manchester United star under Ruben Amorim has been based on the “bit of time” that he had with the player.
Ruben Amorim and his men have only one match remaining on their pre-season summer tour ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign this month.
The Red Devils will return to action at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Manchester United hosting Italian side Fiorentina for a 12:45pm kick-off time in the UK.
Amorim’s side concluded their pre-season tour of the United States on the weekend after United’s 2-2 draw against Everton in their Premier League Summer Series tie.
United played three matches in the States and won two of their opening three Premier League Summer Series matches before Sunday’s result against Everton.
Despite Everton rescuing a draw against United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Red Devils won the latest instalment of the Premier League Summer Series competition.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans name Man of the Match vs Everton after experimental Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha link-up
Former TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand during the Europa League match between Manchester United and Lyon at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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What Rio Ferdinand noticed about Man Utd summer signing Matheus Cunha after meeting the former Wolves ace
Matheus Cunha featured on the pre-season tour in both the United States and Europe under Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim this summer.
The 26-year-old Brazilian attacker linked up with his Red Devils teammates in July after United landed Matheus Cunha from Wolves for a £62.5m transfer fee in June.
Cunha was one of United’s key transfer targets this summer along with Bryan Mbeumo, who left Premier League side Brentford and arrived at Old Trafford in July.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Rio Ferdinand was asked about Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha and how he felt the two major United summer signings would perform at the club.
The 46-year-old United legend suggested that Cunha’s “character and personality” make him feel that he will “embrace” the challenge ahead of him at Old Trafford.
“Well, I spent a bit of time with Cunha,” Ferdinand said.
“His character and personality suggests to me that he will embrace it. Very confident kid.”
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand fully calls out Man Utd ace’s critics after what ‘problem’ player did vs Everton, he doesn’t hold back
Rio Ferdinand’s warning about Matheus Cunha after Man Utd signed the Brazil international for Ruben Amorim
Matheus Cunha has played on the left-sided No 10 role in Amorim’s tactical system for United and was also deployed as one of two strikers against Everton on Sunday.
The former Wolves ace is tipped to play a major role for United in the 2025-26 Premier League season after his stunning run of form last season at the Molineux.
Former TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand suggested that the “free-going” Cunha has a real “vibe” about him, but “patience” will be needed with the player’s United spell.
“Free-going, that Brazilian ‘I’m-here-and-I’m-gonna-show-you-what-I’ve-got’ vibe, which is pleasing to see that,” he continued.
“But again, we have got to have patience and see.”
United’s Premier League fixture list dropped in June and the Red Devils will kick off their new season against fierce rivals Arsenal on 19th August at Old Trafford.