Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Throughout his career, Matheus Cunha has always managed to go up a level in his season at a club, and he will hope this continues at Manchester United for the 2026/27 campaign.
After arriving last summer for a now bargain £62.5m fee, Matheus Cunha was undeniably a success during his debut season, growing throughout the season and ending up a player Michael Carrick relied heavily upon.
Cunha stepped up with big goals and assists, with his consistency of performances really impressive, especially in the second half of the season.
The Brazilian was important in United’s push toward third and securing Champions League football. But he needs to kick on next season, with expectations and demands placed on him set to grow.
Not only because of it being his second season.
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Manchester United Training Session
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Expectations for Matheus Cunha are raised at Manchester United
When comparing the place Manchester United are in right now to August 2025, it is night and day.
Last summer, United were fresh off a worst-ever Premier League finish, losing the Europa League final embarrassingly to Tottenham, and this meant expectations for the 2025/26 campaign were a top-six finish at the very best.
Due to this, it isn’t shocking that all four signings excelled and beat all expectations, as the players they replaced were so bad that, realistically, anything would have been an upgrade.
This isn’t to take away from Cunha’s performances, but the pressure and expectation on him, United, and the other players will be huge for 2026/27. Having come third, it is logical they will now be expected to be even better.
United fans, and Ineos, are expecting a title challenge of some kind next season, and if Cunha is to continue to exceed expectations, he needs to improve on his 10 goals and two assists in all competitions.
Cunha proved for Brazil that he is and could be a complete superstar for United, and he now needs to back it all up with a big campaign where he becomes ‘the man’ at United.
He has the character to shoulder the pressure and expectation that he will have this coming season, and he also has the talent.
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Cunha’s record under Michael Carrick proves he can reach new levels
Under Carrick in the first half of the season, Cunha had three goals and an assist as the output took some time despite his solid performances early on.
But in 2026, he took things up a notch.
Cunha scored seven and assisted one in 15 games for United post Ruben Amorim, with six goals under Carrick alongside consistently stellar performances, growing into the shirt, and earning love from the fanbase.
Everything is set up for Cunha to be incredible for United this coming season, with his talents well-suited to Champions League football as well.
Cunha could absolutely explode this coming season. Don’t be shocked if he ends up considered one of the league’s best players come May 2027.