Manchester United paid Wolves £62.5m in the summer for Matheus Cunha, and this Monday, the Brazilian returns to his old stomping ground.
After another strong season in a poor Wolves side, Manchester United decided to make a move to sign Matheus Cunha in June.
Cunha cost £62.5m for United as his release clause was triggered, and he arrived to become the club’s new number 10, replacing Marcus Rashford.
While not scoring or assisting enough so far at Old Trafford, Cunha was incredible at Wolves, and his loss has seen Old Gold stuck to the bottom of the Premier League with two points in 14 games, on track for the worst-ever points haul.
As a result, Wolves know all about the potential threat Cunha could bring on Monday night.
Matheus Cunha looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025 in London, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde outlines fear Wolves have of Matheus Cunha
Cunha was a one-man team at Wolves last season, and his return to Molineux could see him add to a pretty impeccable record at the expense of his old side. In his last 12 appearances at the stadium, he had 11 goal contributions, and therefore, he won’t be a welcome sight.
Will a return to Molineux spark Matheus Cunha’s Manchester United career into life?🔥
Cunha also has 11 goal contributions in his last 12 Premier League appearances at Molineux👀
Matheus Cunha running for Wolves with UIF graphic for stats.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
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Speaking to Wolves’ club media, their attacker Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was discussing the game and, in particular, the return of Cunha.
“Matheus Cunha is a good player, and we know that if you leave him with the ball and give him more confidence, then this can be a problem for the whole team.
“But for us, we need to play closer to our strikers so we can help them grow in confidence, and push our defenders to stay tight and put other teams in danger.
“We know they’re a good team, so we can’t let them play, and we need to put in a lot of energy and make things difficult for them.”
Matheus Cunha could cause complete carnage for Manchester United vs Wolves
United will go to Molineux on Monday night still without Benjamin Sesko, and for that reason, Cunha should be starting up front ahead of Joshua Zirkzee, after the Dutchman offered zero threat against West Ham.
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Utd v Wolves graphic
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Cunha up front is a far more dangerous choice, with more goals and creativity in the team with the Brazilian, as he has the positioning to get on the end of cut-backs and crosses.
One of United’s best displays of the season against Arsenal came with Cunha as the nine, backed by Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo. This is the trio we want to see against Wolves.
Cunha needs a goal to build confidence ahead of the busiest period of the year in which United will be relying on him, and Wolves is the easiest opposition United will get all season; it needs to be a big and convincing win.
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