Matheus Cunha: Boom or Bust at Manchester United? A Critical Look

Matheus Cunha’s arrival at Manchester United sparked comparisons to Eric Cantona – a charismatic, gifted player with a hint of disciplinary risk. A year in, it feels… muted. Forget scandalous headlines; the biggest story might be him missing a Christmas light switch-on due to a supposed knock. Is this the explosive impact United anticipated?

His manager, Ruben Amorim, suggests Cunha possesses “more levels to go.” That’s putting it mildly. Fifteen goals and six assists for Wolves last season, tempered only by suspensions, paint a picture drastically different from his current single goal for United. So, what’s happening?
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Maybe it’s the pressure cooker of Old Trafford. A big fish in Molineux’s smaller pond now swims with sharks. Amorim notes he’s “struggling because he was not scoring,” hinting at a mental block. The focus shifts from team contribution to individual stats. But I wonder if it’s just that.

The narrative focuses on his team play, his contributions in high-profile games like his debut against Arsenal and his role as a false nine against Liverpool. These moments make it harder to label him an outright failure. However, those flashes don’t mask the stark reality: other new signings, like Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, produced more in their initial seasons, even with Cunha viewed as more of a supporting attacker.

Numbers tell a story. Last season, Cunha converted 14% of his shots. Now? A dismal 4.5%. He’s shooting less frequently, but the real issue is that the shots aren’t finding the net. Twenty-two attempts, only one goal against Brighton. That’s concerning.
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He’s generating chances – nearly as many as last year, placing him just outside the Premier League’s top 10. The problem? These chances aren’t translating into quality opportunities. His expected assists are low, barely above Luke Shaw’s. The moves he’s involved in simply aren’t yielding clear-cut scoring chances. It feels like the final ball, the killer pass, is missing.

Amorim believes Cunha is “happy playing the game” and missed playing during his recent absence. He feels that having fun and embracing the challenge are essential. Yet, could this be a smokescreen? A way to downplay the glaring lack of goals and assists?

Mason Mount’s goal during Cunha’s absence only intensified the debate about United’s summer transfer strategy. Did they need two number 10s? Perhaps Mbeumo’s goals have temporarily masked Cunha’s deficiencies, but what happens when the Cameroonian departs for the African Cup of Nations? The pressure will intensify.

West Ham presents an immediate chance for Cunha to rewrite his narrative. He must demonstrate improvement. Sooner or later, United needs a return on their significant investment. £62.5 million demands more than just a lone goal and no assists.

This isn’t just about individual performance, however. Manchester United’s current struggles run deeper than one player. The team’s overall system, the tactical approach, the players around him – all these factors impact Cunha’s effectiveness. Perhaps he’s a square peg in a round hole, a victim of circumstance rather than a genuine flop.

The jury remains out, naturally. But the pressure is mounting. Cunha has the talent, the work ethic, and, supposedly, the right attitude. Now he needs to find his scoring boots and start justifying the hype. Otherwise, he risks becoming another expensive addition to United’s growing list of underperforming stars. It’s time to stop talking about potential and start delivering results. That’s the harsh reality of playing for a club like Manchester United.

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Keywords: Matheus Cunha, Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, transfer, goals, assists, Premier League, Old Trafford