"If he understands his position at this club, that is the most important thing."
This is Ruben Amorim's sharing before Man United faced Leeds in Sweden and the whole team is preparing to leave for the US to tour this weekend.
This statement of the Portuguese strategist is no different from an affirmation, he will give Matheus Cunha a very important position in the squad from next season.
If not counting the allowances for Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha is the most expensive player Ruben Amorim has ever signed up to.
He was also the first new signing in the summer transfer window, a period that marked Man United's first transformation under Ruben Amorim.
In the first half of the match against Leeds, Amorim repeatedly reminded Rob Collyer to press more. When on the pitch, Cunha can hear it and when looking back at his own playing style, the Brazilian striker is not really passionate. This is something Cunha needs to improve on in the US in the upcoming tour.
However, in addition to not being really active, the former Wolves star left certain impressions. In a very boring match of Man United against Leeds, some of Cunha's balls were their biggest highlight in the first half.
The 26-year-old striker was the centerpiece of the "Red Devils' rare attacks." He coordinated quite well with Diego Leon on the left wing, promising a pair of left wingers with many potential dangers for the opponent in the 2025-2026 season.
In particular, if Chido Obi Martin had not " robbed" a shot in the penalty area of Leeds, Cunha might have scored his first goal because it was a very favorable finishing distance for the Brazilian striker.
In each hold, Cunha showed his sharpness in making decisions to pass, shoot or dribble. When he does not have the ball, the Brazilian striker knows how to stand in positions that are favorable for the "Red Devils" to attack or counter-attack.
Although not really active, just having to own such situations, Cunha showed that he is a very quick person in every line of the ball on the field, not letting himself fall into a passive position.
Next season, depending largely on whether Man United has a new striker or not, Cunha will know how much responsibility his scoring responsibility is placed on.
Cunha and Mbeumo are considered skilled workers in the Premier League, not shining brightly like Salah, Haaland or Isak but will always have decisive scoring moments.
If Man United cannot add a striker in time, Cunha and Mbeumo will be the main target. In contrast, Man United's "number 10" could also play a role in assisting and stirring up the opponent's defense in the left position of the strikers.
Regardless of personnel situation, having Cunha makes it much easier for Amorim to change tactics in each stage of the season, even each match because he is a very versatile player.
