Matheus Cunha is having a profound impact on Manchester United so far since completing his £62.5m transfer in June.
The Brazilian has been an instant hit under Ruben Amorim, settling in immediately with his Manchester United teammates.
Matheus Cunha has wowed on the pitch. Meanwhile off the pitch Cunha has become a popular figure in the dressing room, branded as a loud character who has built bonds with several players already.
Speaking after the win against West Ham, Bruno Fernandes spoke with praise regarding Cunha’s impact in the dressing room, but he has also been impressing on the pitch.
Cunha has raised standards in attack, seeming to already have a better understanding of Rasmus Hojlund up front, creating a couple of chances for the Dane. Amorim has even praised Cunha’s impact on Hojlund in the attack, with an understanding being formed which could salvage the career of the £64m striker.
But Hojlund is not the only relationship being built by Cunha, with one United star looking like a new signing during pre-season.
Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu have been combining well for Manchester United
In January, Patrick Dorgu arrived from Lecce and his first half season at Old Trafford saw him struggle to put in consistent performances.
This was hardly a shock, with the move being a massive step-up for Dorgu from the bottom of Serie A.
However, his potential was the real reason that United spent £25m on the 20-year-old, and with Cunha as his partner on the left side there are signs that he will benefit massively, allowing him to step up.
Dorgu has been top class in both of his appearances this summer, providing consistent threat down the left, while also looking a lot sharper.
Cunha has played a big role within this, as he has regularly been using Dorgu’s overlapping and underlapping runs, something that Alejandro Garnacho didn’t do at times, instead looking for glory himself, which regularly worked out.
It is only early days, but if this continues and the pair develop an even better partnership, Cunha could make Dorgu seem like a new signing for United.
United were linked with Pervis Estupinan, but Dorgu’s efforts are making it clear that a left wing-back is extremely low on the priority list this summer.
Patrick Dorgu could end up being among Manchester United’s top performers
Speaking this week, Rio Ferdinand has compared Dorgu to Patrice Evra, and this comparison could continue to be made within the coming campaign.
Dorgu, like Evra, arrived in January for a cheaper fee in the market and took a little bit of time to find his feet.
Dorgu has put in two top class performances for United in pre-season, but he will need improvements from teammates in order to get the regular praise he deserves.
Last season, despite struggling at times, Dorgu was still putting in several brilliant crosses which often would be wasted by the attacking players, however that could change.
Hojlund looks sharper, while Bryan Mbeumo should always be arriving at the back post to score, which will be beneficial for Dorgu.
He could be a special player, and this could be his breakout season.
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