Cunha ‘open’ to Manchester United move – even with no Europe

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The Football Faithful

·10 avril 2025

Cunha ‘open’ to Manchester United move – even with no Europe

Matheus Cunha is open to joining Manchester United from Wolves this summer, regardless of whether the club secure European football.

Cunha recently said in an interview that he has told Wolves he needs to “take the next step” and fight for titles in his career, though the forward has since said that does not necessarily mean leaving Molineux.

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🗣️ Matheus Cunha: “I had offers in January but I wouldn’t feel well if I had left. I couldn’t leave the club in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone. Now, we’re close to achieving our goal. I have made it clear that I need to take the next step, I want to fight for
– lundi 31 mars 2025

The Brazil international turned down interest from clubs in the January transfer window to commit his future to Wolves and their fight against relegation.

However, a new deal signed in February includes a release clause of £62.5m. Several Premier League rivals are considering activating that fee, including Manchester United.

Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed Cunha is open to a potential move to Old Trafford and any deal would not hinge on European qualification.

United are currently 13th in the Premier League table and set to miss out on continental competition through their league finish. The Europa League offers an alternative route to the Champions League, if Ruben Amorim’s side can win the tournament. United face Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final tie tonight.

Why do Manchester United want to sign Cunha?

Cunha has been a talismanic presence for Wolves this season, scoring 13 times and providing four assists in 24 league starts. His performances follow an impressive first full season at Wolves in 2023/24, in which he averaged a Premier League goal involvement every 129 minutes (12 goals and seven assists).

The 25-year-old’s reasonable release clause and proven Premier League record are attractive to Manchester United, who are keen to inject creativity and goals into the side. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for just six Premier League goals, while there has been an over-reliance on Bruno Fernandes for chance creation.

This season, he leads the Premier League for xG overperformance (13 goals from 6.62 xG), ranks sixth for non-penalty goals, ninth for successful take-ons and fourth for fouls drawn.

Cunha would also boost the physical profile of the team, while he has operated in a similar system to Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 during his time at Wolves. As one of the advanced midfielders, Cunha’s arrival could alleviate some of the pressure on Fernandes, or allow the midfielder to drop into the two-man midfield pivot to aid United’s progression problems.

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