Manchester United Agree Deal to Sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves
Manchester United have announced an agreement for the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, with the 26-year-old set to become Ruben Amorim’s first signing of the summer. The deal, worth £62.5m, sees Cunha leave Wolves as a club-record sale, with United agreeing to a structure of payment over two years.
According to Sky Sports, Cunha will sign a five-year deal at United with the option for a further year. The Brazilian forward is set to play as a No 10 for United and will wear the number 10 shirt. Cunha’s signing is subject to visa and registration, say United.
Cunha, who scored 17 goals and provided six assists for Wolves last season, has been on United’s radar for some time. Sky Sports reports that United have been keeping an eye on Cunha’s development since his impressive display for Wolves at Old Trafford in the opening match of the 2023/24 season.
The forward, signed from Atletico Madrid in 2022 for around £34m, registered 15 goals and six assists across his 33 appearances in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 season. Despite interest from other teams, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Saudi Pro League clubs, Cunha wanted to play for United.
One source told Sky Sports News that the 26-year-old “loves United”. United are understood to have been impressed with Cunha’s desire to join, whether they had European football or not. Five Premier League teams wanted to sign the Brazil international this summer.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, speaking to Sky Sports News, believes Cunha will suit Amorim’s system. “Manchester United are desperate in that position,” Neville said. “You think of what Manchester United are playing now, they’ve let Jadon Sancho, [Marcus] Rashford and Antony go, so three players who are natural players who travel with the ball.”
“Cunha’s the type of player that suits this system that Ruben Amorim wants to play,” Neville added. “They’ve lost three players who play in that type of position so they need to fulfil that, they’ll need to fill those roles definitely or else they’re going to struggle.”
Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth reports that the signing of Cunha demonstrates United’s pulling power. “Day one of this mini transfer window and Man Utd have confirmed their first signing,” Sheth said. “You’ll remember that Cunha signed a new contract with Wolves in February, but that included this £62.5m release clause.”
United will have to pay a third of that transfer fee now and then the other two will come at the end of the next two seasons. Sheth added, “I’m sure that Man Utd will hope that now they’ve got someone like Cunha coming to the club, it might pave the way for way for other players.”
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith explains why Matheus Cunha would be a good fit for Ruben Amorim’s system. Smith said, “It was in process from the end of the season. We were getting wind that Man Utd wanted to sign Cunha and he was really open to the move to Old Trafford.”
The summer transfer window will open again on Monday June 16 until Monday September 1 – with the deadline brought forward to 7pm this year. United’s first signing of the summer will be a significant boost for Amorim, who will be looking to rebuild a squad that finished 15th in the Premier League.
In the context of Gary Neville’s comments about the recent Manchester derby being “boring” and the subsequent reports linking United with a move for the Brazilian forward, it all makes Cunha one of the more intriguing transfer targets of the summer window. Why? Because on one level, Cunha makes perfect sense in one of those No 10 roles within Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
On the other hand, there are questions about his temperament and while Cunha, who turns 26 in May, is at the right age to make the big move of his career, some will ask if he can adapt to the demands and deliver consistently within an organised pressing structure. As Sky Sports reports, Cunha’s £64m release fee offers clarity for United.
The Transfer Show returns to Sky Sports News from Sunday June 1 for the start of the pre-Club World Cup window and will then be on every weeknight at 5pm and 7pm until the deadline on Tuesday June 10.
For more information and to stay up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours, use the Sky Sports app and website for all your updates on our dedicated Transfer Centre and Premier League club blogs plus live Q&As with our reporters throughout the summer.
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