Manchester United’s transfer window ended without the club signing a striker, much to the disappointment of supporters.
One player the club were strongly linked with bringing in was Atletico Madrid forward Matheus Cunha.
In mid-August The Mail reported United were plotting a £45 million move for the striker, who signed for the Spanish club in 2021 for £21 million from Hertha Berlin.
Cunha ended up staying put at Atletico Madrid, where he has gone onto endure a difficult season to date.
The 23-year-old has failed to score a single goal for the Spanish club this season and has struggled for minutes.
Cunha did not start a single game in the Champions League, despite Atletico Madrid suffering a disastrous campaign and finishing fourth in their group.
In La Liga he has two starts and nine substitute appearances. He has two assists but no goals.
Matheus Cunha’s season gets even worse
Cunha’s lack of goals for Atletico left him with a weak argument to get into a very talented Brazil squad. And so it proved when the Selecao’s 26-man squad for Qatar 2022 was announced.
A video circulated of Cunha being visibly upset as news of his snub emerged, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli called up instead.
This is likely to strengthen Cunha’s desire to explore a move away from Atletico Madrid this coming transfer window.
He played in the Brazil Olympic gold medal winning team alongside Antony, who has made the squad, solidified with his move to Manchester United.
Whether United will still want him is another matter. The trouble for Cunha is his lack of goals is hardly putting himself in the shop window.
Like another Atletico forward, Joao Felix, his attacking potential may only be unlocked when he leaves Diego Simeone’s side. The situation of both players is worth tracking as United’s attacking weaknesses continue to be highlighted.
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