Manchester United is on the verge of signing Matheus Cunha. Likely cost: over 70 million euros. It wouldn’t be the first time United has thrown money around – and gotten little in return.
The deal isn’t final yet, but the announcement is likely just a matter of time.
Matheus Cunha is expected to move to Manchester United
The offensive player is expected to sign a contract until 2030 with an option for another year – thus joining a list of United signings that were all extremely costly but seemed to lack a clear transfer strategy. More like the hope that individual quality would somehow prevail.
ManUnited throws the money around
To name just a few: Paul Pogba (105 million euros according to transfermarkt.de), Antony (95 million), Jadon Sancho (85 million), or Ángel Di María (75 million) – in the long run, all failed and did not move United forward.
In the past season alone, the club spent over 246 million euros on new signings – but sporting success failed to materialize (again).
Now, with Cunha, the next attempt to get the sluggish offense going.
Is Cunha mature enough?
The 26-year-old Brazilian’s record in the past season reads quite well: In 33 league games, he scored 15 goals and provided six assists.
But what about his emotional maturity? Only at the beginning of February 2025, Cunha had prematurely extended his contract with the Wolves by two years until 2029.
Less than two months later, he spoke of leaving. “I made it clear that I have to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential,” he said in an interview with the Guardian.
Titles at Manchester United?
To win titles, he now said “Yes” to the crisis-ridden Premier League giants ManUnited. In the past season, the Red Devils missed out on qualifying for the Champions League, finishing the season in a disappointing 15th place – and suffered a bitter 0-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Will Cunha of all people bring about the turnaround now? In the past, the Brazilian offensive player has repeatedly attracted attention through hot-headed behavior.
In the FA Cup quarter-final 2025, he lost his nerve after a harmless foul by Milos Kerkez: The defender from AFC Bournemouth held Cunha by the jersey, whereupon he hit him with both hands.
The argument continued and ended with a headbutt from Cunha. After the dismissal, he raged on the way to the cabin and engaged in verbal battles with the officials and supervisors.
Labbadia: “He was abysmal”
Cunha also had problems with authorities at his early clubs: During his time at Hertha BSC, he clashed with coach Bruno Labbadia. In the away game in Freiburg (1:4) in December 2020, Cunha was substituted at halftime.
Later, the coach criticized the offensive player’s attitude. “For me, he was abysmal in the first half, especially in terms of body language, cooperation, and holding position,” said Labbadia.
His incident in the game against 1. FC Köln in January 2021 also remains infamous: Shortly before the end, Cunha is said to have shouted the words “F*** you” towards the Cologne bench.
The fact that he later apologized did not undo the matter.
Whether Cunha, who has a total of 33 goals and 15 assists in 92 competitive games for the Wanderers, will become the next Antony in Manchester or can give the Red Devils a new identity will be shown in the coming season.