Matheus Cunha has had a very solid debut campaign for Manchester United, with most of his brilliance actually coming after Ruben Amorim’s exit.
Michael Carrick’s arrival has seen Matheus Cunha need to adapt, with his left 10 position no longer in the system under the new regime.
Despite all the change and turmoil off the pitch, Cunha will go down as a success story with his performance already stacking up among the best signings post-Sir Alex Ferguson.
Cunha looks likely to make good on his £62.5m transfer fee, with a debut season so far consisting of just eight goals and four assists, which is a solid starting point to kick on from next season.
Of this, three goals and three assists for Cunha have come under Carrick, disproving a belief that the interim boss had when he first arrived.
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Michael Carrick didn’t think Matheus Cunha could play left wing
Cunha’s importance to Carrick wasn’t immediate, as he initially was positioned as a super sub with Patrick Dorgu preferred.
However, when Dorgu’s injury occurred, Cunha has started every game since, shining on the left wing and making the position his own.
Now, speaking with Owen Hargreaves and TNT Sports, Cunha has declared that Carrick didn’t actually believe he could play on the left wing.
“When Michael [Carrick] arrived, he said we need a winger, and we will play Patrick [Dorgu] there because he can hold the width.
“I said no. You can put me there. I will do all of those things.”
Cunha has since more than proved his capability on the wing, holding width or sitting narrower depending on what is required from his manager.
Carrick has clearly changed his mind on Cunha, with the Brazilian proving him wrong through performance.
What is your verdict on Matheus Cunha’s debut season for Man United?
Cunha performances should make signing a left winger unnecessary
Since returning from injury at the start of December, Cunha has 11 goal contributions in 18 games for United. This is a return that highlights how reliable he has become while occupying the spaces of a left-winger under both Carrick and Amorim.
Cunha is far too talented to find himself permanently on the bench, so signing a £80m winger in the ilk of Yan Diomande wouldn’t make sense with JJ Gabriel’s breakthrough to come.
Even cheaper options, such as Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is too similar to Cunha, making that signing also quite nonsensical in comparison to United’s needs.
United should be looking to sign a Benjamin Sesko reinforcement who can also play across the front-line, such as Eli Kroupi Junior.
But one thing that’s certain, Carrick won’t be desperate for a Cunha replacement.
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