‘He makes magic happen’: Amorim has hit the jackpot after sealing summer swoop for entertaining ‘maverick’

Stretty News

·2. Juni 2025

‘He makes magic happen’: Amorim has hit the jackpot after sealing summer swoop for entertaining ‘maverick’

Manchester United confirmed on Sunday that they’d completed their acquisition of Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman Matheus Cunha.

So long as the forward’s visa and registration are cleared in the coming days, which you’d expect will be a seamless process, he becomes United’s first signing of what needs to be a pivotal summer.

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Cunha, a 13-capped Brazil international, will sign a five-year deal, plus the option of an additional season, to keep him tied to Old Trafford until 2031.

Despite United’s best attempts at paying his £62.5 million release clause over five years, Wolves only green-lit the deal when it was agreed the fee would be paid within two. A lump sum will also be paid upfront to ensure Wolves are making their money’s worth from their star man’s exit.

Cunha enjoyed a 21 G/A return in the Premier League this season

Cunha was influential in Wolves avoiding the drop after a turbulent start to the term. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

2024/2025 marked a career-best campaign for Cunha in the top flight after he scored 15 goals and contributed a further six assists in 33 appearances.

Ruben Amorim was able to get an in-depth look at just how dangerous his new addition can be when Wolves overturned United 2-0 on Boxing Day last year, with Cunha scoring and assisting at Molineux.

The 26-year-old had been linked with several clubs over the last 12 months, including Arsenal in the January window. However, he responded to the speculation by signing a four-and-a-half-year extension with the Black Country outfit, though seemingly only did so to allow for a more straightforward summer departure.

‘He can bring the magic’, says ex-Wolves coach of Cunha

Nonetheless, he’s a Red now, and he’ll be hoping to play an integral role at the heart of Amorim’s rebuild over the coming season.

If Wolves’ ex-assistant manager’s comments are anything to go by, he’ll be an instant hit with the Red Devils faithful.

Ian Burchnall said of Cunha last month, via Guardian Sport: “He makes magic happen every day. He’s a player that plays on his instinct, he doesn’t like to spend hours looking through opposition and tactical bits.

“He likes to feel the game, and more play on instincts than anything, which, obviously, when a lot of coaches are working on deep tactical work, he doesn’t always slot into that because those sorts of free spirits are not seen as much. But if you can get him into the positions where he likes to be and then allow him that freedom, I think you get a lot out of Matheus.

“Fans come to football to be entertained; Cunha is an entertainer. He has the ability to turn the game in a moment and I think fans love that. Sometimes those mavericks can frustrate you a little bit, but at the same time, they’re the ones that you come to see.”