Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Matheus Cunha is part of several selection headaches Michael Carrick is now facing in Manchester United’s pre-season.
Manchester United face PSG in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, and Michael Carrick will have Matheus Cunha available for the first time this summer.
Cunha returned to training this week following his participation in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup campaign, where he scored three goals for his country.
There is huge excitement around Cunha’s second season in red, but he faces even tougher competition for a spot in the starting XI.
Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Manchester United’s left-wing dilemma
There has been an ongoing debate about United’s left-wing position because Michael Carrick has preferred to play Dorgu further forward.
The imminent return of Marcus Rashford and the £4m signing of Tynan Thompson means there is now fierce competition for a spot on the left side of the attack.
Rashford is set to stay with United after Barcelona chose not to sign him this summer. Thompson arrives from Tottenham as an exciting young prospect who is fighting for first-team minutes.
Even with United in four competitions next season, Cunha has a big fight on his hands to be a regular starter in Carrick’s side.
But the trick up his sleeve is that he might not be playing on the left wing at all.
Brazil v Norway: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026
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Matheus Cunha prefers to play centrally
When Cunha was signed for £62.5m last summer under Ruben Amorim, he spoke in his first club interview about his strongest position.
“I think my perfect position to play is around the middle, a little bit between the midfield and the striker. So, a No 10, I think this is the position that is easier to understand, behind the forward, where you can create much more space.” – Matheus Cunha
Bruno Fernandes occupies that position for United, and as the club captain and a Premier League record-breaker, it’s hard to see Cunha pushing him out of the starting XI.
READ MORE: Matheus Cunha has an entirely different challenge at Man Utd this season under Michael Carrick
But Cunha played as a centre-forward for Brazil in the World Cup and had success in that role.
United need extra depth in that position with Benjamin Sesko yet to return to training. Bryan Mbeumo has played centrally so far in pre-season, but Cunha could make his move to the spearhead of United’s attack.