Matheus Cunha has become a key player for Manchester United this season and it seems he is also the central cog to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side.
Over the March break, Matheus Cunha is one of 12 Manchester United international stars away on duty.
Cunha featured in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to France earlier this week alongside Red Devils teammate Casemiro, who was also called up by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Brazilian media were underwhelmed by Cunha’s display against France, but there is no denying that the 26-year-old has become a key player for his nation.
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Carlo Ancelotti criticised for Matheus Cunha reliance
Against France, Ancelotti handed Cunha an advanced role playing as a split striker for Brazil.
Speaking via Brazilian outlet UOL, journalist Arnaldo Ribeiro claimed that Cunha has taken over from Neymar as a player that the side relies on for creativity.
“We left with Ancelotti, and what’s very shocking to me is the dependence on Neymar for Matheus Cunha,” Ribeiro said.
“It’s a bit too much for me. That’s the issue. Because for this system to work, this system was only conceived, imagined, and continues to be adopted because Matheus Cunha is in top condition in every match.
“He even isolates himself, for God’s sake, he doesn’t get injured. No other Brazilian player, so far, has shown himself capable of performing Matheus Cunha’s role, which is, in the 4-2-4, to not leave the team divided in two, as Neymar did in the last World Cup with Tite.”
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Matheus Cunha could play advanced role at Man Utd
For Brazil, Cunha has been pushed more centrally by Ancelotti in a 4-4-2 system.
Ancelotti has been linked to United, but it seems the Italian is happy to remain in charge of the Brazil national team. But Michael Carrick has played a similar 4-4-2 shape at United.
Cunha wants to play more centrally in the long-term, and that could suit United perfectly.
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Carrick has confirmed that United want a new left winger, so it would make sense to push Cunha more central.
It seems Cunha has a huge role to play in Brazil’s upcoming World Cup campaign, and that extra responsibility will suit him when he returns to Old Trafford for the 2026/27 season.
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