The Brazilian forward explained why he turned down offers from Champions League clubs to join Manchester United.
Playing for a club like Manchester United means constant pressure. For Matheus Cunha, that pressure should be even greater since he was brought in to end the team’s goal drought. But the new United leader isn’t overwhelmed by high expectations. Instead, he sees pressure as a blessing.
Last season was a nightmare for Manchester United, who finished 15th in the English Premier League and struggled the most in front of goal — scoring only 44 times in 38 matches. That’s why they prioritized signing Cunha last month and recently added another forward, Bryan Mbeumo.
Both players had impressive last seasons. Mbeumo scored 20 goals for Brentford, while Cunha netted 15 for Wolverhampton. United spent £135 million to secure these two talents.
From the start of the season, all eyes will be on them, and their performances will face intense scrutiny. But Cunha doesn’t see that as a burden. At 26, he welcomed the challenge while preparing with United in the United States during pre-season.
“I feel the pressure people talk about at this club isn’t really pressure. It’s more like a blessing because it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
“It’s a challenge, and exactly what I want for my career. For me, United has always been a club everyone wants to join. Now that I’m part of this process, it’s a huge achievement for me.”
At his first press conference in the U.S., the club’s director of football, John Murtough, made it clear that Cunha and Mbeumo had opportunities to join Champions League clubs but both chose United. Reports had also linked Cunha to Arsenal.
Cunha said once he received United’s offer, he had no other thoughts.
“It’s my dream club. That’s the biggest thing — it’s my dream club. When I first spoke with [United sporting director] John Murtough, I immediately felt something very important was building, and of course, I wanted to be part of it.”
Meanwhile, reports suggest United are interested in signing another forward, possibly Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
On Saturday, Manchester United will play a pre-season match against West Ham in Chicago.
