Diogo Dalot explains to Rio Ferdinand how Matheus Cunha’s energy had an immediate impact on the Manchester United dressing room following the Brazilian’s summer transfer.
Matheus Cunha completed a transfer from Wolves to Manchester United in the summer after the two Premier League clubs agreed on a deal worth £62.5 million.
The Brazil international, 26, signed a five-year deal at United with the option for a further year following a club-record sale at Molineux.
Cunha has made 25 appearances for United across all competitions, scoring six goals and registering two assists. All of his goal contributions have gone in the Premier League.
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Monday night’s trip to Everton gives Cunha a chance to build on his season tally. He will be keen to get double figures after scoring 15 goals for Wolves in the top flight last term.
Despite hitting the ground running under Michael Carrick, Cunha recently paid tribute to Ruben Amorim, who was the head coach when he arrived at the club.
Cunha is already a popular figure in the dressing room as well as the fanbase.
Matheus Cunha brings good energy to Man Utd
The mood has lifted at Old Trafford in recent weeks.
With United winning four and drawing one match under Carrick, the Premier League table looks a lot better. The Red Devils are fourth in the table and remain unbeaten under the former midfielder.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  ArsenalArsenal | 27 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 52 | 20 | 32 | 58 |
| 2 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 26 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 54 | 24 | 30 | 53 |
| 3 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 50 |
| 4 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 47 | 37 | 10 | 45 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 47 | 30 | 17 | 44 |
| 6 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 42 |
It helps that some of United’s latest signings have hit the ground running at Old Trafford. Bryan Mbeumo has become a star player, while Senne Lammens is a vast improvement on Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir between the posts.
Diogo Dalot has explained the difference Cunha has made to the team after signing from Wolves, stressing how the Brazilian forward made it clear that he doesn’t care about what happened last term (finished 15th and lost Europa League final) because he’s focused on the present and the team improving in the future.
“The club, they were still too attached to what happened the season before, but him [Cunha] he was not part of it,” Dalot told Rio Ferdinand on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“So he came with that new energy. New thing of, ‘listen, I don’t know what you did last year. Obviously, you know, but I’m not a part of it. I don’t care.’”
Dalot has shown improved form at right back after Carrick switched to a system that doesn’t require wing-backs. That means the Portugal international has been able to focus on the defensive side of his game, as seen in United’s 2-0 win over Man City.
Rate Diogo Dalot’s performances since returning to playing in his natural right-back role📈
He's been much improved as the stats show…🔥
Diogo Dalot’s ultimate five-a-side team
Ferdinand asked Dalot to name his dream five-a-side from players he played with and against.
Dalot included four players who have played for United, including one current star. They are Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
The odd one out is former Real Madrid and Portugal defender Pepe.
Dalot played with Pepe for the Portugal national team.
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