Matheus Cunha was in action for the first time in Manchester United colours since leaving Wolves at the start of June.
Wolves received £62.5 million for selling Cunha after the Brazilian made it clear in March that he wanted to depart Molineux.
Supporters weren’t pleased with the 26-year-old after he pushed hard for an exit, even before the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
But now he’s preparing for the 2025/26 season at his new club, Man United have given Cunha the number 10 shirt, the same number that he wore during his two-and-a-half-year stay at Wolves.
On Saturday afternoon, Vitor Pereira’s former maverick played his first match for the Red Devils in a pre-season friendly against Leeds United.
How the national media rated Matheus Cunha on his Manchester United debut
Cunha was deployed in his familiar left-sided number 10 role against Leeds, with Ruben Amorim slotting him in behind youngster Chido Obi Martin.
In a typical pre-season friendly match, both sides went in goalless at half-time, as the Brazil international failed to get a shot off but did complete 11 of his 12 passes and one successful dribble.
As is normally the case in these games, Amorim switched his full starting lineup at half-time, with Cunha being replaced by Mason Mount.
However, despite failing to register a goal or an assist, Man United’s new number 10 did impress as The Express gave him a 7/10 rating and wrote: “Promising early signs from United’s new £62.5million man. Caused Leeds problems on the ball, drawing multiple fouls through his rapid bursts of acceleration. Looked certain to score before his attacking partner had other ideas.”
Manchester Evening News also gave him a 7/10 and stated: “Cunha was the exciting player, but that doesn’t say much.”
Wolves have already found their Cunha replacement
The biggest challenge for Wolves this summer was replacing Cunha’s output, which included 23 goal involvements in all competitions last term.
Luckily, Pereira is close to landing the successor to his throne, with Wolves agreeing a £19 million transfer for Jhon Arias.
A superstar at the Club World Cup, Arias has been destroying Brazilian football for several years now, and will fulfil his dream of playing in Europe after completing his medical next week.
The 27-year-old typically plays as a right winger for Fluminense but will likely operate in one of the number 10 positions for Wolves.
In 2025, Arias has four goals and 13 assists in all competitions, the sort of output supporters will hope he can replicate in the Premier League.