Manchester United have lost their last three Premier League games in a row and have failed to score in those games. In fact, in those three games the strikers have rarely threatened.
Rasmus Hojlund still does not look like he is ready to lead the line while Joshua Zirkzee has been a major disappointment since his summer move and has been linked with an exit in January.
Marcus Rashford was also trialed as a No 9 by Ruben Amorim but the Mancunian has since declared his intention to leave his boyhood club with INEOS trying to offload him this January window.
Due to PSR concerns, the head coach already knows it would be difficult to land his top targets and hence, he was open to alternatives with Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers impressing the Portuguese.
Cunha has impressed Amorim
He ran rings around the United backline when both sides met and showed exactly how to operate as a No 10 in a 3-4-3 system with his clever movement and passing putting the United players to shame.
To top it off, the Brazilian scored direct from a corner while also grabbing the assist for the second goal. His display was so good that the United coach had asked INEOS to try and acquire his signature.
🚨🟠 Wolves have agreed on new deal with Matheus Cunha! Deal verbally in place for Brazilian star to extend the contract with salary improved.
Despite interest from several clubs, Cunha’s set to sign as soon as official documents are checked/approved.
Almost there. 🐺🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/JzOsyMqI7S
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2025
The 25-year-old has netted 10 goals this term, more than all of United’s strikers, while also registering four assists.
The West Midlands outfit had paid €50 million for his services in 2023 and with Cunha’s deal valid until 2027, it would have been a hard deal to crack and one that could have potentially cost the Red Devils €80 million.
New deal on the cards
However, Fabrizio Romano has now poured cold water on United’s aspirations by claiming Wolves have verbally agreed a contract extension which will not only see his deal get extended but also see his wages improved.
“Wolves have agreed on new deal with Matheus Cunha! Deal verbally in place for Brazilian star to extend the contract with salary improved.
“Despite interest from several clubs, Cunha’s set to sign as soon as official documents are checked/approved. Almost there,” Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
This means the former Atletico Madrid star is off the market in January and his price is set to rise in case the Red Devils are thinking of a summer approach. INEOS must focus all their efforts on landing Victor Osimhen on a swap deal if possible.
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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
