Izuchukwu Okosi
Manchester United new signing Matheus Cunha, says he dreamt of becoming a Manchester United player after completing his £62.5m move to the club.
United activated the release clause in the contract of the former Wolves forward who reportedly held out for a move to Old Trafford despite the inability of the club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“It’s hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player,” the Brazilian noted.
The deal, which was subject to a visa and a medical, has now been completed.
Cunha put pen to paper on a five-year contract on Thursday with the option of a further 12 months extension.
“Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt.
“I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality.”
Cunha scored 31 goals in 76 games in all competitions for Wolves after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2023.
“Bringing in Matheus was one of our main priorities for this summer, so we are delighted to have completed his signing so early in the window,” United director of football Jason Wilcox noted.
‘United lucky they still have historic appeal’
After United scored a record low of 44 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, bolstering the attack was a clear priority for manager Ruben Amorim.
Although not a traditional centre-forward, Cunha scored 27 goals in 65 league games for Wolves in the past two seasons.
Winger Antony and striker Rasmus Hojlund have arrived at Old Trafford for big transfer fees in recent years and struggled to adapt to the Premier League.
Newcastle United, who will play in the Champions League next season, were interested in signing Cunha.
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United will not play European football next season.
“United are lucky they still have their historic appeal and reputation as a club, so players of the Brazilian’s quality and potential want to move there,” former England midfielder Fara Williams told BBC Sport.
“There is no doubt he improves the squad.”
Cunha was the heartbeat of Wolves’ attacking threat in the past two seasons, scoring crucial goals, linking up play and unpicking defences with moments of brilliance.
“Cunha has everything a United team would want,” said Williams.
“You cannot question the qualities he possesses and the attitude he has in terms of wanting to do anything to win.”
Last season, Cunha scored six goals from outside the penalty area and had 51 attempts on target in all competitions, the same figures as United’s Bruno Fernandes for United.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
