What Paul Merson once said about Matheus Cunha was astounding, Wolves have proven him wrong

The end of the road for Matheus Cunha at Wolves looms, but his departure from Molineux may not be as bad as first feared.

Cunha has been in the form of his life this term. The Brazilian has plundered 16 goals in all competitions, ensuring that Wolves have secured their Premier League status for another campaign.

As such, the 25-year-old has attracted a raft of interest ahead of the summer, including from Manchester United, who are leading the race for Cunha.

A move to Old Trafford is seen as the Wolves forward’s preferred destination, even without the prospect of European football next season.

But, despite him being touted for a bigger club than the Wanderers, one pundit has been left red-faced by a comment he made about Cunha previously.

• READ MORE: Wolves eyeing ‘special’ Matheus Cunha replacement but European club could throw spanner in the works

Paul Merson predicted Wolves to be relegated without Matheus Cunha

At the start of March, Cunha was sent off against Bournemouth for lashing out at Milos Kerkez, resulting in a four-match suspension from the FA.

There were fears that his absence would lead to Vitor Pereira’s men struggling, and even Paul Merson predicted Wolves to be relegated without his talisman.

“I can’t believe what I saw with Matheus Cunha. He’s just ruined Wolves’ chance of avoiding relegation,” Merson said.

“The games he’s going to miss now, all of them were winnable fixtures if he were part of it. Cunha could have definitely made a difference and I don’t see Wolves winning any of the next four games without him.”

While the Old Gold were predicted to sink like a ship without the Brazil international, they instead went unbeaten in each of the games he missed, posting victories over Southampton, Ipswich Town and West Ham.

Wolves have also gone on to win against Tottenham and Manchester United to mathematically secure their Premier League status and leave Merson red-faced in the process.

Wolves incredible record without Cunha

The period without Cunha available offered hope that Wolves can cope without their talisman.

Pereira’s men arguably played better without him, as Jorgen Strand Larsen scored five in four games while blanking in his last two.

• READ MORE: What Pablo Sarabia is like behind the scenes at Wolves as exit looms

It isn’t just the eye test that suggests the Old Gold have seen an improved level of performance when Cunha has missed out, recording a higher win percentage and points tally.

Although Wolves score more with Cunha, they do have a greater win percentage and concede fewer goals without him, suggesting that life may not be so bad once he leaves.