Matheus Cunha signed for Manchester United during the summer transfer window has been sent a message by a former assistant manager
14:27, 01 Nov 2025Updated 14:38, 01 Nov 2025
Matheus Cunha has scored one goal since signing for Manchester United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has praised the impact Matheus Cunha has made since his arrival at Old Trafford – but has also issued a challenge to the summer signing to show consistency.
United signed Cunha from Wolves during the summer transfer window, who went on to be one of five new additions to Ruben Amorim’s squad. Cunha has scored one goal since his move to United and has been a regular starter under Amorim this term.
It was during the 4-2 victory over Brighton last weekend that Cunha scored his first goal for United. The Brazilian is yet to register his first assist, but has received plenty of praise for his start to life as a United player.
Meulensteen worked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager at United, helping guide the club to several Premier League titles. While still being impressed with what he’s seen from Cunha, Meulensteen has outlined the next challenge for the Brazilian to be regarded in the same calibre of player that starred for United under Ferguson.
“I was very positive about United signing Matheus Cunha. He’s a great player,” Meulensteen told compare.bet.
“I think he also has all the mental attributes to play for a club like Manchester United. He’s got that aura. He wants the ball. You can give him the ball and it’s hard to get it off him.
“He’s raised the ceiling of this United squad and that will rub off on other players because when they see that Cunha, he’s a player, and Mbeumo is a player too, it lifts everyone to push their own games.
“I still find it a shame seeing Cunha and Mbeumo together with Bruno Fernandes having to play in that deeper role because if you could have Bruno in a more advanced position where he can really roam around as we are used to, there are even more goals there playing with Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko, without a shadow of a doubt.
“The challenge now for Cunha is making sure that he shows that consistency that Manchester United need now, week in and week out.
Rene Meulensteen was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff for six years(Image: VI Images via Getty Images)
“That is what made United great under Sir Alex Ferguson. We had a good squad, we had good players, and a good balance in the squad, it was the performance.
“They were so consistent, no matter who we played in the Premier League, in the FA Cup or any other cups or Champions League, the players performed. That is what United need to get back to, starting with Nottingham Forest and Spurs.”
Cunha starts once again for United on Saturday afternoon at The City Ground as Amorim’s men take on Forest in the Premier League, with the Reds hoping to make it four wins in a row.
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