Matheus Cunha has been dropped by Michael Carrick at the start of his Man Utd tenure but he has still managed to get the best out of the Brazilian.
Matheus Cunha and Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has handled Matheus Cunha superbly so far(Image: )
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The pent-up frustration and disappointment that Matheus Cunha felt at finding his place in the Manchester United team under threat for the first time came pouring out during his celebration at the Emirates. The Brazilian celebrated wildly with the away end before directing his anger down a camera lens.
It's been a strange week or so for the 26-year-old Brazilian, who has found himself on the bench for successive Premier League games for the first time since his move from Wolves in the summer, but has also managed to deliver two decisive moments.
Cunha came on for the final 19 minutes against Manchester City last week and produced a lively cameo. His clever runs offered an outlet to United and he created the goal with which Patrick Dorgu killed the game off.
That wasn't enough to get him back in the team at Arsenal. This time, he got the final 21 minutes and again looked up for the fight. His contribution was even bigger, striding forward and curling a stunning goal into the corner of David Raya's net to earn United a famous victory.
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Cunha has taken his goal contributions to seven in 22 games with his efforts over the past week, and once again, it looks like his Old Trafford career is threatening to kick into gear. Despite being signed as a perfect fit for Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, he only showed glimpses under the Portuguese head coach, and his best performances have come as a false nine.
Speaking after the win at the Emirates, Michael Carrick massaged Cunha's ego, showering him with praise for the contribution he has made despite not starting either of his first two games in charge.
"Matheus coming on, a big impact again like he did last week," said Carrick. "Creating a goal last week. I just fancied him to score when the ball came out of his feet.
"He kind of epitomises what we've been like this week. Matheus has not started both games, but he's had a real big impact. He's been disappointed not to start but he's used it in a really good way.
"Two huge moments and he totally deserves that winning goal for how he's applied himself, and I’m absolutely delighted."
Carrick has made a bold call with leaving the £62.5million signing out so far, especially for Dorgu. As well as the young Dane has done, on stature and squad status, the safe decision would have been to start the big-money summer signing.
These decisions are even harder for Carrick because of the lack of games to use his squad, which is now only missing Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee. In a normal season for United, Cunha could have started in Europe in midweek, but that isn't an option.
There are only 15 games left this season and by the time of the Fulham game this weekend, Cunha will have played a little over 40 minutes in three weeks. That makes the challenge not only of rotation but also of keeping players happy all the more difficult for Carrick.
So far, he has got it right with the Brazilian. Cunha has earned a start, although the problem is nobody deserves to be dropped either. Perhaps Dorgu's injury and the different game plan required to take on Fulham at Old Trafford will open a door.
It certainly feels like Carrick needs to give him that. If he has kept him on side so far and managed to get him to channel his disappointment in the right way, that can quickly change if positive impacts off the bench only lead to more time on the bench.
Cunha is doing the right things at Carrington. Like the rest of the squad, he has embraced the shorter, sharper sessions at Carrington and his form looks to be trending in the right direction again. He has done everything Carrick has asked of him in the past two weeks, and now it is time for that to be rewarded.