Manchester United signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves in the summer transfer window of 2025, ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first full season with the club.
Cunha joined the Red Devils with a worthy reputation of being a top-class striker in the Premier League after his time at Wolves. He can play as a number nine, a number 10, or even in a wider role, making him a versatile asset for Amorim to use at Old Trafford.
The Brazil international was the first signing that Man United made in the summer window, and costing £62.5m, he was the first big-money signing of the Amorim era, making him somewhat of a milestone signing. But what was his football career like before he joined the Red Devils?
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Early move to Switzerland and success in Germany
Predictably, Cunha started his career in Brazil, playing as a youngster for Coritiba. However, he decided pretty quickly that the best route for him to make it in the world of football was to move to Europe. So, at the age of just 18, he joined Swiss side FC Sion in 2017.
He spent one year with the club, making 32 appearances for the club with impressive numbers. He scored 10 goals, and provided eight assists, but did also show his fiery side, getting eight yellow cards in that time.
Following immense success in his first season in Europe, Cunha was snapped up by Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, who signed him at the age of 19, for a fee of £13m. In his first season for the German club, he made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals, and providing two assists.
After impressing in his first year in Germany, Cunha continued to develop, although he spent the second half of the season at a new club, after leaving Leipzig and moving to Hertha Berlin for £15.5m. He spent a season and a half at Berlin, making 40 appearances, and scoring 13 goals, with 10 assists.
Cunha’s big move to Atletico Madrid
Following his success and continued development in Germany, Cunha moved to Spain after getting a big money move to Atletico Madrid, who paid Hertha Berlin £30m for the privilege.
When he first joined the La Liga club, he was 22 years-old, and he signed a five year deal. He made 37 appearances during his first season in Madrid, and didn’t disappoint, scoring seven goals, and providing seven assists, the majority coming in the league.
In his second year at Madrid, Cunha yet again played half a season, as he left the club in January. Before he did, he managed to provide another two assists in 17 games, mainly from the bench, but it was enough to attract the attention of Wolves.
Turning into a Premier League star
When Cunha first joined Wolves in January 2023, he joined on a loan move from Atletico Madrid, and he impressed quickly at Molineux and following his six-month loan, the Premier League club decided to make his move permanent for a fee of £43m.
In his first full season in orange and black, Cunha showed why he commanded a hefty price tag. He scored 16 goals in all competitions, showing himself to being one of the most talented attackers in the division.
After that, it was when he really kicked on. Cunha scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last year, but also became more creative, as he provided six assists, and helped new manager Vitor Pereira to keep Wolves in the league.
However, following their survival, Cunha wanted out, and as soon as Manchester United came knocking, he was all over it. He really seems the ideal player for the Red Devils, but only time will tell to see if he was worth the £62.5m price tag.
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