Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Matheus Cunha is excited about his prospects after returning to Manchester United for pre-season ahead of his second campaign at Old Trafford.
This week marked the return of four key players in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2026 pre-season tour.
Matheus Cunha was among the quartet – along with Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui – and he’s taken to social media to express his excitement ahead of a potential first appearance in pre-season against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Fresh off the back of the 2026 World Cup with Brazil, Cunha expressed his excitement for the new season by writing “can’t wait” on a photo back at Carrington via Instagram stories. Here are four reasons why he should be excited for his second season as a United player.
Matheus Cunha with the ball at Carrington
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Matheus Cunha can be Man Utd’s utility man in attack
Carrick has been limited for striker options on the pre-season tour, with Joshua Zirkzee filling the void in the initial matches along with Bryan Mbeumo.
The main reason for that is Benjamin Sesko’s persistent shin injury, which ended his debut campaign prematurely.
However, Cunha’s return means Carrick now has another option who can play up front, as we saw during the World Cup when he led the line for Brazil.
Cunha’s primary role in the team last season was on the left flank. The 27-year-old will compete for that position with Patrick Dorgu and maybe Marcus Rashford, but having multiple possibilities could make him Carrick’s ultimate utility man in attack.
Smash 10-goal milestone
Cunha finished his first season at Old Trafford with 10 goals in 35 matches across all competitions. It’s a decent return for a debut campaign but also a tally any player who wants to play for an elite club will want to build on.
By building on, I mean smashing. United have more games this season after qualifying for the Champions League.
Cunha should be aiming for 25 goal contributions. That would be a respectable return to help the team on top of goals from other star forwards.
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Chance to win his first trophy at Man Utd
United didn’t lift any silverware in Cunha’s debut campaign, and it was a difficult one that included Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
Cunha and his teammates will aim to start the 2026/27 season as strongly as possible, before maintaining high levels throughout the campaign.
That could see United in with a chance of winning silverware, which is something every new United signing dreams of. It would mean a lot to Cunha after spending many of his years in England battling relegation at Wolves.