Manchester United fans have already made their feelings clear on Matheus Cunha after just 45 minutes of his unofficial debut
Manchester United fans are already drawing strong opinions about Matheus Cunha after his unofficial debut, even though he only featured for 45 minutes.
Cunha was included in the starting lineup for United’s friendly against newly-promoted Leeds in Stockholm, a match largely seen as a chance for players to gain match fitness ahead of the club’s pre-season tour. Despite the game ending goalless at half-time, Cunha’s performance stood out, particularly alongside fellow new recruit Diego Leon.
The 26-year-old Brazilian, who joined from Wolves this summer in a £62.5 million deal, quickly caught the attention of supporters. One fan remarked that Cunha was the only one not looking sluggish on the pitch, while another praised his ability to carry the ball, claiming it was unmatched — even by Bruno Fernandes. Several others echoed similar sentiments, saying Cunha looked sharp, dynamic, and was the only real threat going forward.
Some supporters, however, noted that his brilliance only highlighted the overall poor level of performance from the rest of the team. One even joked that Cunha must be in shock witnessing the level of football around him. Nonetheless, he was widely seen as one of the few bright spots during a lackluster first half.
Despite being technically the home team, United wore their white away strip at Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena. After this match, the squad is set to travel to the United States to participate in the Premier League Summer Series, with games lined up against West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton.
Their pre-season will wrap up with a home fixture against Fiorentina on August 9, serving as a final tune-up before opening their Premier League campaign at Old Trafford against Arsenal on August 17.
Manager Rúben Amorim will be hoping for further reinforcements before that Arsenal clash. Reports suggest United have agreed a £71 million deal to bring in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and the club is also said to be pursuing a new striker and a goalkeeper, with Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa emerging as a top target.
Cunha may have only had one half of football under his belt, but his impact was immediate. His energy, pace, and dribbling ability brought a different dimension to United’s attack — something the team clearly lacked elsewhere on the pitch. If this performance is a sign of things to come, United might just have found the creative spark they’ve been missing.
