Childhood dream comes true: Matheus Cunha joins Manchester United

Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha. The 26-year-old Brazilian forward joins from Wolverhampton for £62.5 million (approximately €74.2 million), signing a five-year contract with an option for an additional year.

The transfer was finalised after his UK work permit was approved. Cunha is the first major signing of Rúben Amorim’s first summer in charge at Manchester United.

Following his signing, Cunha expressed how this move fulfilled a lifelong dream:

“Growing up in Brazil, watching the Premier League was a tradition for us. Manchester United was always my favourite team. I dreamed of wearing that red shirt, and now I’m living that dream. I’m very happy and very motivated.”

“I’m looking forward to pre-season. I want to meet my teammates, adapt to our coach’s system, and give everything I have. I will work hard to help bring this club back to where it belongs.”

Sporting director Jason Wilcox outlined the role of the transfer within the club’s vision:

“Matheus Cunha was one of the first players we wanted to bring in this summer. His performances for Wolves in the Premier League have shown his quality. He also has experience in Germany and Spain, making him well-acquainted with top-level European football.”

“He is a technically gifted, hard-working and versatile attacking player. His flexibility makes him well-suited to take on multiple roles in Amorim’s system. We’re very pleased to have completed this transfer early.”

In the 2024/25 season, Cunha made 36 official appearances for Wolverhampton, scoring 17 goals and providing 6 assists. His consistency, especially in the second half of the season, solidified Manchester United’s interest.

Matheus Cunha’s career background

Matheus Cunha began his professional career in 2017, transferring from Coritiba to Swiss club FC Sion. Just a year later, he moved to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. After a brief spell there, he joined Hertha Berlin in the winter of 2020.

His progress in Germany led to a move to La Liga giants Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2021. However, Cunha struggled for consistency in Spain and was loaned to Wolverhampton in January 2023. Later that summer, he made the switch permanent, taking a full step into the Premier League.

After making an impact at Wolves, Cunha took the biggest step of his career by signing for Manchester United in the summer of 2025.

Over the years, Cunha has signed for several major European clubs, including RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin, Atlético Madrid, Wolverhampton, and now Manchester United. In total, clubs have spent €192.2 million on Cunha — placing him among the most expensive Brazilian forwards in recent years.

Cunha has also earned international recognition, having made 15 appearances for the Brazilian senior national team since September 2021, scoring once.

What can Cunha bring to Manchester United?

Matheus Cunha offers a multi-dimensional profile that can contribute in various ways to Rúben Amorim’s attacking setup at Manchester United. Amorim’s tactical framework, shaped since his days at Sporting, is based on rapid transitions, high pressing, and dynamic forward rotations. Cunha’s potential contributions fall into four key categories:

He can act as a supporting striker in a two-man attack

In formations like the 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1, which Amorim frequently employs, Cunha can operate in a free role up front. Depending on whether Rasmus Højlund, Joshua Zirkzee, or another traditional centre-forward is on the pitch, Cunha can play as a mobile forward who links up play, opens spaces, and supports central attackers.

He can be a key ball carrier in transition play

With strong acceleration and the ability to attack spaces behind the defence, Cunha can pose a threat with his direct runs. In a system that aims to find gaps in the opposition’s half through quick passing sequences, his ball-carrying ability makes him a vital piece.

He can contribute through pressing and ball recovery

Cunha is a high-energy player who actively participates in defensive actions. Within Amorim’s aggressive pressing approach, Cunha can help press opposing centre-backs and create transitional opportunities through turnovers.

He can add creativity around the box

In tightly contested matches, Cunha can be a difference-maker with his one-on-one ability, diagonal dribbling, and unpredictable passing. His technical quality in small spaces can provide solutions when United need to break down compact defences.

All in all, Cunha is more than just a finisher—he’s a forward who connects play, opens channels, adds defensive work rate, and offers positional variety. Within Amorim’s disciplined yet adaptive system, Cunha stands out as a player capable of adjusting his role based on the demands of each match scenario.