Rio Ferdinand is convinced that Matheus Cunha and three other Manchester United stars could have a major knock-on effect under Michael Carrick next season.
Matheus Cunha hit double-digit goalscoring figures at Old Trafford after the Red Devils signed the 26-year-old Brazilian forward from Wolves last summer.
The former Wolves ace netted 10 times and registered four assists in 35 matches across all competitions for Manchester United during the 2025-26 campaign.
Cunha has deeply impressed United fans with his attacking influence in the final third for the Red Devils under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick this season.
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Rio Ferdinand reveals why Matheus Cunha and Co could benefit Bruno Fernandes in Man Utd’s 2026-27 Premier League season
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all made a real impact for the Red Devils since Ineos splashed out on the Manchester United trio last summer.
Bruno Fernandes was also a standout player at Old Trafford in the 2025-26 season and the 31-year-old Man Utd captain broke the Premier League assist record.
Rio Ferdinand insisted that the best versions of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Cunha and Amad Diallo could only benefit Bruno Fernandes’ numbers next season.
“If we, listen, the second season now, you go, Sesko, you’re going to have a better version of Sesko you’d like to think,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“You’ll have a better version of Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha, right? And they might add someone else to that.
“If those guys start hitting a bit of form and purple patches, right? His [Bruno] numbers could do a madness again next season if he continues in this form.
“And who’s to say he’s not going to continue? Listen, after the World Cup, we have to wait and see where he is. I think that’s going to be a big telling factor on someone like Bruno because he’s going to play there. He’s going to have a long, like, 18 months.”
Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko become second ever PL trio to score 10+ goals in debut season🔥
What an incredible achievement, how many goals should they each be aiming for in 2026/27?
Rio Ferdinand on Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes at the 2026 World Cup and the pre-season tour
United legend Ferdinand feels that the Red Devils attackers should hope Fernandes makes an early exit from the World Cup, so he is prepared for the 2026-27 season.
“But if those guys are moving in the right way and they’re finishing chances that he’s setting up, man, I mean, I want to be in their shoes, he added.
“That’s the one thing I would be. If I’m the strikers in that team, I’m looking back and going, ‘Bruno, man, just get knocked out in the group stages with Portugal.’
“Get ready for next season because I’m going to be flying all over this pitch, expecting the ball to be on the end of my left or right foot to bang goals.”
Man Utd midfielder Fernandes was called up to Roberto Martinez’s 26-man Portugal squad for this summer’s World Cup in North America.
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