Match-winning effort against Villa wins Goal of the Month award for United’s sizzling star

Matheus Cunha has won Manchester United’s Goal of the Month award for March. According to an official report via the club website, Cunha’s finish against Aston Villa came out on top in the fan vote. The strike came at Old Trafford on 15 March in a game that may, in the final analysis, prove to be the key turning point in United’s push for Champions League football come the end of the season. Difference maker Aston Villa had fought back through Ross Barkley after Casemiro opened the scoring for the hosts with his head, courtesy of a set-piece delivery by Bruno Fernandes. Cunha, however, restored United’s lead after racing onto an exceptional through ball from Fernandes, as the Portuguese talisman moved ahead of David Beckham’s assist record for the Red Devils. The Brazilian forward finished with aplomb, guiding a well-placed effort beyond Emiliano Martinez’s grasp in front of the Stretford End. In addition, the goal arrived in a match United eventually won 3-1, triumphing over a direct rival for Champions League qualification. As such, this crucial contribution from the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers forward could even carry weight in the race to catch Manchester City in second place by the end of the campaign, let alone a top-four finish. Moving forward Meanwhile, with the international break under way, the focus at M16 will soon turn back to the closing stretch of the Premier League run-in. Action will resume in the top division for Michael Carrick’s side next month as bitter rivals Leeds make a visit to Old Trafford to face United on 13 April. Moreover, the Brazil international’s latest honour will be welcomed as another encouraging sign for the Mancunian club. Essentially United will, therefore, now hope there are more vital goal involvements of such cutting edge still to come from Cunha before the term draws to a close. Featured image Lewis Storey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Okari Wambunya Okari Wambunya is a football writer at The Peoples Person, covering Manchester United with fast, accurate, and source-led news, analysis, opinions, team developments, injuries, press conferences, and matchday reactions. A former secondary school teacher, he now coaches college football (not soccer) and continues to support young people through academic mentoring and youth work. He holds a BA (Hons) in English from Brunel University London and an MA in Education from King’s College London, with experience across digital journalism and broadcast sports media. Okari first praised Michael Carrick in a blog post he wrote at 16-years-old in 2014; over a decade later, United appointing Carrick as interim head coach feels like a full-circle moment.