For Manchester United, timing is everything. And over the years the club’s timing has been lousy.
Manchester United’s transfer history has been littered with signings who failed to live up to expectations, or last the distance.
United have been through the ‘tried and tested superstar’ route. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Edinson Cavani either failed to perform at all, or could not maintain it after an excellent start.
And then came the route of paying big for potential. Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho were two rising stars who impressed abroad, and were supposed to reach the next level at Old Trafford. It hasn’t worked out.
The sweet spot might be in the middle. Manchester United are currently targeting proven Premier League options, and in the case of Matheus Cunha, he is ready to blossom into a superstar.
Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty ImagesMatheus Cunha on the rise
Matheus Cunha signed for Manchester United on a deal to 2030, with a further option to 2031. He is tied down to United for his best years.
At 26-years-old, Cunha has amassed strong experience already, playing in Switzerland and Germany, before landing a move to Atletico Madrid.
Cunha was a little too much of a maverick for Diego Simeone’s system, and he took a chance on a move to Wolves, where he showed he could make an impact in the Premier League, and caused Manchester United problems too.
United have landed Cunha at the right time, after two-and-a-half seasons in English football, there are no mysteries for him. One of the best players in the league last season, the forward even played in an identical formation at Wolves to the one Ruben Amorim utilises.
Matheus Cunha one year away
One of the most notable aspects about this deal is that Manchester United could have clinched it at the absolute perfect time.
Cunha started Brazil’s recent World Cup qualifier, alongside Vinicius Jr and Raphinha, leading them to a win by providing the decisive assist. This puts him in pole position to land a starting spot for next year’s World Cup in 2026.
United paid £62.5 million for Cunha, but you can imagine how his value would soar, and competition for his signature would increase, if he were to play a key role at the tournament next summer.
Cunha was pictured with Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Vinicius Jr in a recent snap, showing how his profile has rocketed already, as a consequence of his start for Brazil and his move to Manchester United.
The best is yet to come, and the ball is at Cunha’s feet to grasp this incredible opportunity for club and country.
United’s timing has so often been poor, but in the case of Cunha, United have bought the right player at the right time, who could just be the next Brazilian superstar forward.