Manchester United have made just one signing in the transfer window, but it’s an exciting one in Matheus Cunha, and there’s interest over his squad number.
Matheus Cunha arrives to hopefully become the talisman of a revamped Man Utd squad, and he’s already said that he relishes the pressure.
It was evident when Cunha demanded the No. 10 shirt during negotiations, a promise that was going to be slightly tricky for Man Utd to make at the time.
Now, a month on from that signing, United’s current stance, at the time of writing, has emerged as the new season approaches.
Man Utd stance on Matheus Cunha squad number
Cunha is clearly a player who enjoys the extra spotlight, as evidenced by his heroic displays for Wolves in the 2024/25 season, when he received the No. 10 shirt.
Before that, the last time he held the No. 10 shirt was way back in 2021/22, when Hertha trusted him with it. Predictably, he leveraged that starring role for a move to Atletico Madrid next season.
Since then, he’s worn No. 9, 19, and 12, so it was clear that he wanted a return to the number close to his heart.
It was tricky for United because Marcus Rashford held that number at Old Trafford. Even this summer, when Rashford’s exit rumours have dominated the headlines, United have been careful not to cause a commotion.
The club website has been officially refreshed with the kits for 2025/26, and the updated squad is reflected on the official first-team page.
The likes of Ethan Wheatley, Dan Gore, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Matheus Cunha are all on the page, but Cunha catches the eye.
It is because it seems like Cunha has been left in limbo with regards to his shirt number demand, because Rashford has been assigned No. 10 on the page.
Cunha, like Jadon Sancho, is without a squad number at the time of writing, so the wait for him to get his desired number continues.
Man Utd avoiding a ruckus with Marcus Rashford/Cunha move
While Cunha is left in limbo right now, it feels fair to assume that the No. 10 will eventually be Cunha’s, and this is the club just playing it safe.
Stripping Rashford of his shirt number would have invited unnecessary scrutiny over an already boiling transfer saga.
Cunha probably already has some promises that the No. 10 will be his as soon as Rashford leaves, which is a matter of when, not if.
The awkwardness for Man Utd will be if that doesn’t happen until July 19, when they play their first pre-season game.
Not only will it be interesting to see if Rashford plays, but Matheus Cunha’s shirt number will also be a story, something United will want to avoid.
For now, United have taken the safe and unassuming option to keep the noise to a minimum.
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