Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £62.5 million. The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Red Devils, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2030, with an option to extend for an additional year.
Cunha, who impressed with Wolves last season by scoring 17 goals and providing six assists, expressed immense joy at fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“Since I was a child watching Premier League matches on TV at my grandmother’s home in Brazil, I’ve always dreamed of wearing the red shirt of Manchester United,” he said.
“It’s hard to put into words how I feel. I’m incredibly thankful to my family and everyone who helped me get here.”
Manchester United triggered Cunha’s release clause to secure the signing early in the summer transfer window. The forward, who joined Wolves from Atlético Madrid in 2023, made a significant impact at Molineux, scoring 31 goals in 76 appearances across all competitions. Despite interest from other clubs including Arsenal and Newcastle United, Cunha chose United, citing the club’s global stature and personal affinity as motivating factors.
United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, emphasized the importance of the signing: “Bringing Matheus in was one of our key priorities this summer. We’re delighted to complete the deal early and give him a full pre-season to integrate.”
Cunha arrives at a crucial time for Manchester United, following a disappointing campaign in which they scored just 44 goals in 38 Premier League matches—their lowest tally in recent history. Head coach Ruben Amorim is leading a major squad rebuild, with Cunha being his first major acquisition. The club is also reportedly pursuing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres to strengthen the attack further.
Although not an out-and-out striker, Cunha’s versatility will be key to Amorim’s plans. He is comfortable playing as a second striker, winger, or even an attacking midfielder. Last season, he operated in a left-sided No. 10 role, frequently dropping deep to link up play and drive the ball forward.
“He fits perfectly into Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system,” noted former Wolves coach Edu Rubio. “Cunha’s dribbling, intelligent movement, and ability to break defensive lines make him a real asset. He also puts in a shift defensively and adds value off the ball.”
Former England international Fara Williams highlighted that United’s historical prestige remains a strong pull: “Despite their recent struggles, United’s name still holds weight. Signing a talent like Cunha shows they can still attract top-tier players.”
Now settled in Manchester, Cunha is focused on his next chapter. “My only aim is to work hard, earn my place, and help bring United back to where it belongs—at the top of English and European football,” he said.
With the new season on the horizon, fans will be eager to see if Cunha’s arrival can spark a revival at Old Trafford.
