Matheus Cunha, the Wolverhampton Wanderers no.9, has been making headlines on and off the pitch lately. After being heavily criticized by the community’s local reporters and bloggers throughout this cancelled 2020 season, Cunha has taken to Twitter to staunchly defend his play. Despite these tantrums, it didn’t hurt his popularity among teammates. He’s got an unconventional playing style that nobody else can imitate. Now that his £64 million release fee has been reported, he is suddenly a potential target for Manchester United.
He’s previously referred to his football experience as an “ugly process” that ultimately helped him grow up and learn. He has never been reticent to sing his own praises, but perhaps nothing inspires him more than the sound of criticism. “I did not have a good reaction after two games and started to do crazy things saying training was not the best, and Gary came to me and said, ‘I am with you, I am not your enemy,’” he remarked, highlighting the support he received from coach Gary O’Neil during tough times.
Ruben Amorim, head coach at his previous club Wolverhampton, has described Cunha as a “special talent.” The coach’s tactical play helped place Cunha in less of a goal-focused role. This adjustment, combined with his continued development, has helped him flourish as a No. 10 option in Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up. This change favors Cunha’s strengths, as he is frequently receiving the ball more in the hole, making a laydown with room to run into.
Indeed, Cunha’s numbers on the pitch have seen striking upgrades ever since Jorgen Strand Larsen took over as a focal point for the team to operate around. His capacity to drum up opportunity is even more legendary. His team mate Rodrigo Gomes summed him up best by saying he was “a very creative player” able to turn a tight/hostile situation into a scoring goal scoring opportunity. This creativity is very much desired by a Manchester United side that focuses on seeding creative players to diversify attacking threats.
By all accounts as inventive as he is, Cunha’s much-discussed style of play has come under fire. He spends more proportion of his time walking than any other outfield player in the Premier League. This trait begs the question of why he wasn’t effective in high-pressure situations. Gary O’Neil expressed concern about the need for forwards to be dynamic: “He obviously has some fantastic individual attributes that can unlock things… but every time the ball is crossed, I need my No 9 to be a threat.”
Cunha would much rather have the ball at his feet 20 yards out than gamble from within the six-yard box. This decision limits the ability to judge him as a scoring forward. With some, his approach is seen as a liability, but for his teammates and those who know different, he’s a net gain. Nelson Semedo remarked on Cunha’s character and work ethic, stating, “I went to his wedding and I saw where he came from, great parents, a very good family… I imagined how hard he has had to work to get to the level he is.”
Cunha’s recent performances with the Brazil national team have proved that he can shake up matches and create quality chances. Most famous for his hat-trick against Chelsea, he proved in the best games he was able to produce and shine on the biggest stage. That performance earned him a permanent place on the team. It also demonstrated his ability to develop into a folk hero and fan-favorite as well.
Debate about Cunha’s future position in the lineup, though, remains a work in progress. O’Neil noted that while Cunha’s individual skills are impressive, consistent goal-scoring remains essential. “People actually watching the game will see that he came off the front, did a little turn… How many goals has he got? How many assists has he got?”
In all, Cunha represents significant promise and considerable risk for any club that pursues him. His creativity oozes on every play. Given his self-awareness and unreal athletic profile, he might be one of the best investments Manchester United has ever made. The issues of his overall work rate and contributions to goals or assists come into the conversation.
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