Matheus Cunha, Wolves’ dynamic Brazilian forward, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects ahead of this summer’s transfer window, with Manchester United leading a crowded field of suitors.
United, currently languishing mid-table, are understood to be keen on the 25-year-old and have received what one source described as “positive signals” from the player. “He loves United,” the source told Sky Sports News.
Arsenal and Aston Villa have also held preliminary talks, while Saudi clubs have indicated they would be willing to trigger Cunha’s £64 million release clause.
Despite Wolves sitting just one place below United in the Premier League table, Cunha’s interest in the move appears undimmed. Those close to the player suggest he views United as a “giant” of the game, and remains open to joining, even if Champions League football is off the table next season.
Cunha has scored 26 goals and provided 11 assists in 60 league appearances since joining Wolves from Atlético Madrid in 2022, where he signed for a fee of just over £34 million. His ability to glide between midfield and attack has drawn admiration from several managers, including United’s under-pressure boss, Ruben Amorim.
Former United captain Gary Neville believes Cunha would slot naturally into Amorim’s system. Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said, “They’ve lost players like Sancho, Rashford and Antony in those roles. Cunha can run with the ball, beat players, and has that bite you need. They’re desperate for a player like that.”
But Cunha’s fiery streak, which has led to disciplinary issues in the past, raises some questions. “He’s got spirit,” Neville added. “I played with guys like Rooney, Tevez, Cantona — players who walked the line. That fight in him can be a strength if it’s channelled properly.”
While United are weighing up other options — including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Manchester City’s Liam Delap — Cunha is high on their list. At Wolves, he has flourished as a free spirit in a system not dissimilar to Amorim’s.
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate, who spent time with Cunha at the club’s training ground, described the striker as a “maverick.” “He doesn’t want to be a robot,” Bate recalled Cunha saying. “He plays with instinct and flair — that unpredictability makes him dangerous.”
That raw edge, however, might not suit all clubs. Some analysts question whether Cunha can consistently deliver under the stricter tactical demands of top-tier sides. At 26, he’s approaching the peak years of his career — and this summer could define his path.
With interest stretching from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League, the decision now rests with the player and any club willing to meet Wolves’ price tag.
For United, starved of goals and struggling for identity, Cunha might be the jolt they need — or a risk too bold to take.
