Manchester United has officially announced the completion of the transfer of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2030, with an option for a further year. The transfer fee is reported to be £62.5 million, making Cunha one of United's most expensive signings in recent years.
Cunha's arrival is expected to bolster United's attacking options, adding pace, skill, and versatility to the squad. He is capable of playing as a centre-forward, second striker, or winger, providing manager Ruben Amorim with tactical flexibility.
"It is hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player," Cunha said in a statement on the club's website. "Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother's house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt. I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality."
Cunha's journey to Manchester United has been a long and winding one. He began his professional career in Switzerland with FC Sion before moving to Germany, where he played for RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin. In 2021, he joined Atletico Madrid, before moving to Wolves. Despite having only joined Wolves permanently in 2023 for £35 million after a successful loan spell, his impressive performances quickly attracted attention from top clubs, including Manchester United. Across all competitions for Wolves, he registered 33 goals and 15 assists in 92 appearances. 15 of those goals came in the Premier League last season.
United's Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, expressed his delight at securing Cunha's signature, stating, "Bringing in Matheus was one of our main priorities for this summer, so we are delighted to have completed his signing so early in the window. He has proved his ability to succeed in the Premier League as one of the most exciting and productive forwards in England during his time at Wolves, and, before that, in Spain and Germany. He has all the qualities we are looking for as we seek to build a strong, dynamic and entertaining team capable of challenging for the biggest honours."
Cunha's arrival comes at a time when Manchester United are looking to rebuild their squad after a disappointing season. The club finished 15th in the Premier League and are aiming to challenge for major honours in the coming years. Cunha is expected to play a key role in United's resurgence, bringing his talent and experience to the team.
The signing of Matheus Cunha also sees him enter the top 10 players with the highest accumulated transfer fees, with a total of €192m spent on acquiring his services across his career. This highlights the high regard in which he is held within the footballing world and the potential he possesses.
With his versatility, goal-scoring ability, and passion for the club, Matheus Cunha is set to become a valuable asset for Manchester United. He is eager to start pre-season, get to know his teammates, and work hard to help the club achieve its goals. Manchester United fans will be hoping that Cunha can quickly settle in and make a significant impact as they look forward to a brighter future.
