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FEATURE
- 7 hours ago
How Man Utd will line up with Matheus Cunha
Cameron Smith
- 1 Jun 2025 14:10 BST
- 4 min read
Analysis
Manchester United have confirmed the capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in Ruben Amorim's first signing of the summer.
The Brazil international had been heavily linked with a Molineux exit in recent months and Man Utd officially announced the Brazilian's signing after agreeing to trigger his €73 million (£62.5m) release clause.
Current ETV
Matheus Cunha
F (C)
Wolverhampton
Matheus Cunha
F (C)
Wolverhampton
ETV Range
€56.4M - €68.9M
Cunha scored 15 Premier League goals and provided six assists in 33 appearances, with an additional two goals coming in the FA Cup.
Arsenal, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest were among the clubs also interested in landing Cunha this summer, but Man Utd have intensified their pursuit of his signature and a move to Old Trafford has now been sealed.
The 25-year-old becomes the first player to join Ruben Amorim’s side ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and he is expected to become a key member of the Red Devils’ forward line.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through how Man Utd are likely to line up with Cunha in the start of their new look side under Amorim next season.
How Man Utd will line up with Matheus Cunha
Man Utd are set for a busy summer of transfer activity as Amorim looks to shape his first-team squad into a team capable of challenging for Champions League qualification yet again.
As a result, a number of goalkeepers have been linked with Old Trafford in recent weeks, including Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens, although Andre Onana could potentially keep his place in between the sticks if the Red Devils are unable to offload him.
Man Utd are also expected to sign a new central defender and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is among their top targets amid concerns over his long-term future with David Moyes’ side.
However, the Red Devils already have a number of suitable options at the club, with Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro potentially set to be first choice. Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt will also battle for a starting berth, although their form has been underwhelming.
Diogo Dalot has been a permanent fixture at wing-back since Amorim’s arrival, but the January signing of Patrick Dorgu and the return to fitness of Amad Diallo means he is set to be demoted to a role on the substitutes bench.
STATS
Amad Diallo
F, M (R), AM (C)
Man Utd
Amad Diallo
F, M (R), AM (C)
Man Utd
Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo are likely to partner each other in central midfield, although the latter could be used in a more advanced role if Man Utd heed Amorim’s advice and bolster their options in the middle of the park.
Bruno Fernandes is Man Utd’s best and most influential player, and he is expected to be utilised in a central attacking midfield role alongside Cunha.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee could battle it out for a starting berth up front, but at least one forward could depart, with United desperate to sign a new striker this summer too.
Man Utd’s starting XI with Matheus Cunha
GK: Andre Onana
CB: Noussair Mazraoui
CB: Harry Maguire
CB: Leny Yoro
RWB: Amad Diallo
CM: Manuel Ugarte
CM: Kobbie Mainoo
LWB: Patrick Dorgu
CAM: Bruno Fernandes
CAM: Matheus Cunha
ST: Rasmus Hojlund
