Despite taking the lead, Manchester United were ultimately pegged back and had to be content with a point from their Premier League game against Fulham on Sunday.
The Red Devils should have been beyond reach within the first half itself at Craven Cottage, with Bruno Fernandes guilty of ballooning his spot-kick way over the bar, after Mason Mount was fouled inside the box.
But Ruben Amorim’s ludicrous second-half substitutions meant all that momentum eventually fizzled out.
The visitors did take the lead through an own goal, but lax defending meant the hosts eventually equalised and actually ended the game on top.
Cunha was excellent up top
Matheus Cunha was at the heart of everything good the Red Devils created against the Cottagers.
His movement, and ball control were exquisite to watch, especially the chance he squandered from Altay Bayindir’s long ball. The way he evaded his markers to run beyond them, and the way he brought the ball down were a joy to watch.
He had three shots within the first 13 minutes itself, with one shot striking the post after he found space inside the box, while he squandered a great 1v1 opportunity.
The Brazilian also created one chance, while also completing 91 percent of his passes, one of which was into the final third.
His teammates already know how talented the 26-year-old, and they tried to find him every time, fizzing balls into him, which he always controlled with ease.
Work-horse without the ball
Not only extremely intelligent with the ball, the Brazil international was an absolute work-horse without it.
He won a 100 percent of his tackles, while also making one block. The ex-Wolves ace completed two ball recoveries, and won two free-kicks for United (all stats via fotmob).
However, Matheus Cunha will know deep down that he was brought to the club to add goals, and two matches in, United’s new-look forward line is yet to trouble the scorers.
Pressure is mounting on Amorim, and he will be hoping his forwards bail him out. Up next for the 20-time English league champions in the league is a must-win tie against Burnley next Saturday.
Feature image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
