Cunha is one hell of a player. This is why United spent £65m on him last summer.
However, the player that was signed from Wolves hasn't really arrived at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian was a bit non-existent against Burnley, partially because United didn't actually utilize him, partially because he was out of position as the right-winger, but mainly because he just didn't look at the races.
I'm not doubting his ability btw, because I still have a lot of belief in him. He was the signing I was most excited for out of the four brought in.
Yet I have been somewhat disappointed with what I've seen for majority of the campaign.
It's still early days into his time at the club. We're only halfway through the season so there is enough time for him to make amends. The problem I'm having with him is that he was signed for Amorim's 3-4-3 as one of the two no 10s but never really performed in that role. We've had glimpses of the player we know he is but that's all they've been: glimpses.
Now with Darren Fletcher at the helm and with it looking highly likely that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will return to the dugout, he won't be able to play him his preferred position of no 10.
These two coaches play with four-at-the-back with just one no 10. As skipper Bruno Fernandes has returned from injury, we know he's going to play as that attacking midfielder. Fletcher had no second thoughts about putting the captain in what we all know is his best position. Straight away upon return, Bruno gets an assist in that attacking midfield role.
This is why we saw Cunha out of position on the right and have a very flat display again.
If he couldn't get some rhythm in his preferred position in a formation that he was signed for, how is he going to do so out of position in a formation he isn't suited for unless he plays as the no 10 over anyone else?
We still have Amad and Mbeumo to return, both of whom can play that CAM role as well.
There is the option of using Cunha as the false 9 with Bruno behind him and Mbeumo and Amad on the flanks but I doubt the new coach will look to use him up top over an actual striker like Sesko who scored 2 goals and had his best performance in a United shirt. It will really knock his confidence if he were to be dropped after that.
Again, despite the early-ness of his career at Old Trafford, Cunha isn't a young player whom fans are willing to give time to (although there is much impatience among us. Look how supporters were getting on Sesko's back before last night) as well as knowing there will be ups and downs.
The Brazilian is 26-years-old and Premier League proven having spent a couple of seasons at Wolves. He's also been around Europe at clubs like Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig. United's no 10 is a regular for the Brazilian national team as well.
This along with his quality, I just expect more from a player like him.
Could it be missing that penalty in the shootout defeat to Grimsby that has knocked his confidence? Is it the size of United that's overwhelmed him? The sacking of Amorim has caused him to become a little upset?
I've just noticed that his overall body language in a lot of games this season and certainly last night, was one of a man a little low on confidence. He really didn't look happy at all.
The flip side to this is that it could be the negative culture at the club getting to yet another player. We've seen this in the past where players who were good for their previous club/s join United and become average to poor.
This is a valid case yet I would still say it usually takes a bit of time before we see this drop off. With Cunha, it appears to have happened right from the get go.
Whatever the case is, I'm hoping that this is just a phase but I think he needs to really up his game.
Do you share the same concerns about our Brazilian? Do you think there is a concern at all? What could be the problem if you do believe he has been underperforming?
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Matheus Cunha | Creator: Stu Forster | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Goal