Matheus Cunha has had less than a week with his new teammates at Manchester United so far, but he’s already built a rapport with a teammate he has battles with.
Due to no new signings beyond Matheus Cunha, the charm and novelty of the Brazilian are still as fresh as ever.
That has been helped massively also because Cunha has made a brilliant first impression at Carrington, with fans salivating over his potential impact.
In his first words since he spoke on his unveiling as a Man Utd player, Cunha has named the Man Utd player he has always had individual battles with.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester UnitedMatheus Cunha’s opponent-turned-teammate
A major reason why there was so much excitement surrounding the signing of Cunha was that he had proven himself in the Premier League.
Cunha’s impact at Wolves needs no reminder, especially not to Man Utd, who were regularly tormented by the tricky Brazilian in the Wolves shirt.
Be it Andre Onana getting caught out from Cunha’s corner kick sailing straight into the goal, or whoever was stationed on the right when the Brazilian was on song, he always loved the big stage.
Speaking to the club’s official channel after a day at Carrington, Cunha said that he has already joked around with Noussair Mazraoui, the man who found himself directly up against Cunha more often than not as an opponent, now doing the same as a teammate but in training.
He said: “Yeah, I think always like as an opponent, you know, it’s different. We’re joking when I go to the locker room, we’re talking about some games, especially with Maz [Noussair Mazraoui]. I think it’s always with him, my [individual] battle.
“But, of course, we’re talking about the games, we’re talking about the seasons, and then, yeah, I think everyone was very lovely with me, [it was a] very warm welcome.”
Noussair Mazraoui will benefit from Matheus Cunha
Mazraoui has been a loyal soldier at Old Trafford due to his ability to play multiple positions, but tricky wide men were always his weakness.
Not only is one of the best tricky wide men now his teammate, but Cunha’s presence will also benefit him from a sporting perspective.
Cunha is likely to be deployed as the left-sided attacking midfielder, with, potentially, Bryan Mbeumo on the right.
If Mazraoui settles into his right-sided centre-back spot, Cunha will provide an energetic and silky outlet for his cross-field passes into the channel.
Furthermore, Cunha’s ball-carrying abilities will allow the defensive line, including Mazraoui, a pressure-release option that will help them build from the back.
This is the benefit of signing from the Premier League. A rival that gave United headaches is not only removed from the equation, but he’s been added to help the club.