Manchester United need big personalities to dig them out of their current crisis, and they need not worry about Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian forward has shown that his fiery temperament and match-winning capabilities make him an essential figure inside the Old Trafford dressing room. Do not be fooled by Cunha claiming he was anxious during his CBS post-interview. He is a dream of a talker and rivals Bruno Fernandes for the most quotable in the United dressing room.
Cunha said last season that Michael Carrick was bringing back the Sir Alex Ferguson magic. That was premature, but Cunha rolled back the years with his tour de force against Roma in front of Fergie, sitting in the directors' box. The Brazilian with the signature surfing celebration went crowd surfing after his 86th-minute winner. It earned Cunha his first booking.
The Rise of a Footballing Maverick at Old Trafford
Cunha had not heard of the word maverick and assumed it was just Tom Cruise's nickname in Top Gun. His second-half performance, featuring a penalty won, two goals, and two yellow cards five minutes apart, was the full bingo card for the footballing maverick. Even after Cunha saw red, he perched himself atop an advertising hoarding to watch the remainder of added time. The fourth official soon ordered him away.
It was a travesty that Cunha was not named the man of the match. That was possibly on Uefa's killjoy grounds that a red-carded player cannot re-enter the pitch, even after the final whistle. Cunha faces a fine for crossing the white line to try and celebrate United's comeback. Bizarrely, Uefa named Fernandes the man of the match. Shea Lacey, a 75th-minute substitute, would have been a worthier recipient than Fernandes.
Comparing Cunha and Fernandes in the United Midfield
Eventually, there has to be a changing of the guard with United captain and former talisman Fernandes. This could be his last season, as his contract expires in June, though United have the option of an additional year. Cunha, a fellow playmaker, is a natural replacement. Carrick's and Cunha's personalities are chalk and cheese. Carrick was a placid player and Cunha brims with passion.
Cunha is 27 now and that streak is not getting coached out of him. Nor should it when it fuels performances like Tuesday night's. In Como two weeks ago, Cunha and Carrick were at loggerheads. Carrick's hands slapped against his thighs in exasperation at Cunha's failure, or refusal, to carry out his instructions during the limp first half.
Tactical Evolution and Managing Cunha's Position
Cunha was hooked at half-time and dropped for the visit of Bournemouth four days later. With United 2-0 down at the break, Cunha emerged ahead of Fernandes. Fernandes and Cunha are back in the fold, and it is apparent that Carrick needs them more than vice versa. Whenever Carrick's tenure ends, his successor is unlikely to be as dependent on Fernandes, though.
It is different with Cunha, five years younger than Fernandes and approaching his peak. Cunha has four times as many United goals this season as he did at this stage last season. He is also more flexible than Fernandes, capable of operating in a 4-3-3, a formation switch United must seriously consider when they change manager.
Big-Game Impact and International Ambitions
Cunha ended his maiden Old Trafford campaign with ten goals, notching against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. He is a big-game player and goalscorer. Carrick initially mismanaged Cunha this season, having started him up front in their opening games to no avail. When Cunha switched to the left-hand side in the second half at Fulham in September, he equalised.
That afternoon was not Cunha's best performance for United, but it best encapsulated him, until the Roma recovery. He plugged away, refused to concede defeat, and his doggedness was rewarded. Cunha was Brazil's No.9 at the World Cup, when he scored three goals. His two squad omissions by Carlo Ancelotti this season are genuinely peculiar.
Looking Ahead to the Future of the Squad
Maybe Cunha has channelled that disappointment into his recent urgent performances. He thought he had scored at Chelsea on Saturday, only to have been found offside. VAR was not required for either of his goals against Roma. Cunha will have to continue on the left wing, with Marcus Rashford still nursing a hip injury. But maybe after this season he could live up to his 10 squad number by assuming Fernandes' role.
Four United players fouled Cunha when he ran rings around them for Wolves on Boxing Day in 2024. The first thing Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui said to Cunha at United's Carrington training complex was that they were relieved he was now on their side. Cunha said he wanted to bring back the glory days. He has a way with words.
