Wayne Rooney has advised Manchester United to avoid signing ‘superstar names’ in the summer, after falling for the same mistake over the past decade.
It is shaping up to be a crucial summer transfer window for Manchester United, especially after a turbulent season, which included the sacking of Erik ten Hag and the appointment of Ruben Amorim.
United’s head coach did not experience the ‘new manager bounce’ he and Ineos would have wanted, but Amorim believes the board are backing him to turn things around.
Only time will tell if co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be able to provide the financial support required to rebuild the squad, after making two additions in the January transfer window.
United are being linked with an array of targets, but the transfer kitty will be significantly lower unless Amorim’s side wins the Europa League and qualifies for the Champions League.
Wayne Rooney welcome Matheus Cunha links to Manchester United
Manchester United have suffered from poor recruitment ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
It didn’t help that the Glazer family put people like Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold in charge of running the football club, and Ineos will be keen to do a better job after taking control of football operations.
United fans have already seen a shift in policy with United now targeting the most promising players in the world, including Leny Yoro, after beating Real Madrid to the French defender’s signature last summer.
Former United striker Wayne Rooney has urged the club to move away from their previous focus on marquee signings and instead build a stable squad around a committed core of players.
Rooney also reacted to the reports suggesting United are leading the race for Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, who he believes is the right fit since he has yet to become a superstar name.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, Rooney said: “I think there are a lot of players who are good enough for Manchester United.
“I think he’s (Cunha) a top player, and since a lot of players have gone now with ability and reputation and have struggled over the last few years, so, I think it’s difficult.
“United needs to really identify a core group of players who can help sustain the club over the next two or three years. Instead of going for names which they’ve done in the past with (Romelu) Lukaku, (Paul) Pogba, Zlatan (Ibrahimovic). Going for superstars and names, which I don’t think Cunha is at that level at the minute.”
Of course, Amorim will also have a say on what players United bring in this summer, just like he did in the winter transfer window.
Rooney is also cautious of the fact that financial restrictions will play a pay in United’s summer spending. The club need to sell players with up four stars likely to leave when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
“Financial Fair Play might hit them as well, so the recruitment has to be miles better,” United’s record scorer added. “Identify a group of players, a bit of what Liverpool have done over the last few years, and gradually get United back to where they were.”
Cunha feeds on affection
Although Matheus Cunha is likely to leave Wolves at the end of the season, there is no denying that the Brazil international found happiness at Molineux following stints at RB Leipzig, Hertha BSC and Atletico Madrid.
The Wolves striker has scored 13 goals this season and puts him on course to break a record held by Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Martinelli (15) for scoring more goals in one Premier League campaign than any other Brazilian player.
Cunha has five games to achieve that feat this season and Wolves are on a wonderful run of form after beating United 1-0 last weekend.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Cunha spoke about finding happiness at Wolves after going through a tough period in his career.
“Sometimes all we want in life is affection,” Cunha says. “People think we have everything, but we’re human beings, too.
“We need a bit of understanding – we have our difficulties. Wolves gave me that joy back.
“The fans [have given] me a lot. The status I have today, the player I am now and the happiness I’m feeling, it’s because of them. I’m really grateful to Wolves.”
Cunha will hope to receive the same level of affection at his next club.
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