Matheus Cunha: The “Madman” Manchester United Needed
Energy Beyond Goals
At Old Trafford, where pressure is constant, Matheus Cunha has brought more than just goals. He delivers energy, personality, and a spirit that manager Ruben Amorim believes Manchester United has lacked for far too long.
Signed for £62.5 million after scoring 27 goals in his final two seasons at Wolves, Cunha arrived with expectations and skepticism. Yet what defines him at United is not only his scoring record, but his rare sense of responsibility. He cares deeply—about himself, his teammates, and even the smallest details in the dressing room. This is not loud or flashy concern, but a quiet, internal accountability unusual for a big-money signing.
The Paradox of Cunha
Premier League football is unforgiving, especially for players judged by their price tag. After 16 matches, Cunha’s tally of three goals has raised doubts. At United, doubts always come quickly.
But Cunha is not a striker who exists only to score. He grew up playing deeper, accustomed to linking play rather than waiting in the box. In England, however, attacking players are often reduced to numbers—goals and assists. Without them, disappointment follows.
Reality at Old Trafford tells a different story. Cunha speaks five languages, communicates directly with staff, and quickly became a bridge in a turbulent dressing room. Academy graduates often mention him as the one who helps them integrate. In big clubs, such details are overlooked, yet they are the glue that holds a team together.
Influence on the Pitch
Cunha’s impact on the field is harder to measure. Opponents avoid one‑on‑one duels with him, opening space for teammates. His relentless work rate makes him vital in United’s pressing system, a key factor in their improved control of matches. United now rank among the league’s highest scorers, and that is no coincidence.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton described him as “a little rebellious, but full of positive energy.” Players with strong personalities are not easy to manage, but they bring difference that rigid systems cannot replace.
Amorim’s Vision
It is no accident that Ruben Amorim made Cunha his top priority when rebuilding United. Amorim sees in him what he calls “the necessary madman”—a player who dares to play, dares to take responsibility, and refuses to shrink under pressure. For Amorim, big clubs need not only leaders but also disruptors who break order and spark change.
Tactically, Cunha has been used in multiple roles: center forward, number 10, or wide left in a 4‑2‑3‑1. He often sacrifices himself—stretching defenses, dropping deep to connect play, or pressing from afar. These tasks do not guarantee goals, but they serve the collective structure.
Value Beyond Statistics
Amorim admitted Cunha “thinks too much about numbers,” a natural pressure for an attacker at a major club. Yet he emphasized that Cunha’s influence goes far beyond scoring. Amorim believes the Brazilian has room to grow in both attack and defense, and most importantly, he is willing to learn.
Missed chances still haunt Cunha: a failed penalty against Grimsby Town, missed shots versus Arsenal, Fulham, Wolves, and Aston Villa. But these failures show his courage—he does not hide from decisive moments, even knowing the cost.
Some matches reveal his role only on replay. Against Liverpool, the plan revolved around him playing as a number 9, not to score, but to push the team higher. Against Newcastle, he controlled rhythm, helping United escape pressing while younger players looked to him for guidance.
Off the Pitch
Away from football, Cunha lives quietly. Family is central. Last summer, he welcomed his first daughter. Relatives and friends sit behind the Stretford End at every home game. This image contrasts with stereotypes of Premier League stars.
The upcoming reunion with Wolves will again drag Cunha into the familiar cycle of goals and assists. But focusing only on numbers misses the bigger picture.
Conclusion
Manchester United’s path back to glory is not just tactical—it is spiritual. In this journey, Matheus Cunha plays a role statistics cannot capture. Sometimes a team needs more than numbers. They need a player who embraces pressure, cares deeply, and becomes the center of intangible bonds. For United today, Cunha is exactly that kind of player—the “madman” who makes the difference.
