Three ways Manchester United could line up after announcing £62.5m Matheus Cunha transfer
Man Utd have announced the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and here is how Ruben Amorim could use him.
Steven is a senior writer and covers Manchester United for the Manchester Evening News. You can follow Steven on Twitter at @StevenRailston.
Matheus Cunha is the first signing of the summer window for Manchester United.
Cunha, 26, will officially seal his £62.5million move to Old Trafford when he returns from international duty with Brazil, as his visa and registration need to be formally completed.
The Brazilian has signed a five-year contract, with the option of another year, and he arrives in Manchester with previous experience of playing in Ruben Amorim's formation.
Cunha can play down the middle and on the left, so how would United look with him deployed?
We've listed three ways United could use Cunha next season below...
Cunha on the left
Cunha is expected to play predominantly in the left No.10 role in Amorim's system. He is right-footed and will be able to cut inside, although he also has the ability to beat an opponent.
United are planning to sign a new striker this summer and supporters will be hoping to see Cunha develop a strong relationship with that new arrival after dismal campaigns for Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Cunha scored 17 goals in all competitions in a struggling Wolves side this season. He is capable of finding the back of the net and will be a huge threat when he plays in the left No.10 role.
Cunha down the middle
Cunha can play down the middle as a traditional striker, or he can play as a false nine, which would be different options for Amorim if he wants to tinker with the position of his new signing.
How effective Cunha would be centrally in a red shirt remains to be seen, but he has played in that role for Wolves during his time at Molineux and understands the intricacies of the position.
It would also open the door for another player to start in the left No.10 position.
Alejandro Garnacho has been informed he can find a new club this summer, which rules him out, but Amorim has liked to play Mason Mount in that role and perhaps he would start there.
What if Fernandes leaves?
Al-Hilal are currently in discussions with Bruno Fernandes' agent over a move to Saudi Arabia.
It's been claimed the decision could be confirmed next week. Fernandes is a guaranteed starter and he's practically always available, so matchdays would be very different if he departed.
It would be a huge blow to lose Fernandes and Cunha would have to step up to help fill the void. Fernandes has been a consistent source of goals since he signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, and Cunha will be a great signing if he can have half the impact of the Portugal international.
United would have to sign a new midfielder to replace Fernandes and Cunha would miss out on playing with him.
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