Did Matheus Cunha Dream of Playing for Manchester United?

New Delhi, July 17 (NationPress) Matheus Cunha, the latest addition to Manchester United, expressed his emotions about joining the prestigious club. Reflecting on his childhood in Brazil, he shared that while playing on gravel pitches, he often envisioned himself wearing the United jersey.

Cunha made a permanent transfer to Manchester United last month, breaking the club's record with a significant fee after a successful two-and-a-half-year stint at Wolves. He signed a five-year deal, which includes an option for an additional year. During his time at Wolves, the Brazilian netted 33 goals across 92 matches and received the title of Wolves Player of the Season for his standout performances. However, he is now eager to embrace a new challenge.

“Finding the right words to convey my feelings at this moment is tough. It feels like a dream realized. Sometimes, it seems surreal to be here. This club has always held a special place in my heart. A humorous anecdote — in Brazil, we could only catch Premier League games at my grandmother’s house, as neither my home nor my cousins had the channel. Every weekend, we planned our visits to her place to watch the matches.

“My older cousin was a Manchester United supporter. He introduced me to the Premier League and to United. Even when we played on the typical gravel pitches in Brazil, I would dream of representing United. Being here now, reminiscing about those times, is incredibly moving,” Cunha shared on Jio Hotstar.

The 26-year-old scored a remarkable goal in the FA Cup victory against rivals West Bromwich Albion in January 2024 and achieved Wolves’ second-ever Premier League hat-trick during an impressive win at Chelsea a week later.

Last season, Cunha emerged as Wolves' top scorer with 17 goals, six of which were nominated for the Goal of the Season award, including two stunning strikes in a significant win at Fulham and an ‘Olimpico’ goal against United on Boxing Day.

Discussing the Manchester United legends who inspired his passion for football, Cunha stated, “I admired Wayne Rooney. I have tried to incorporate aspects of his style into my own — the way he played hard, went for the ball, and maintained his skills and influence on the field. He wore the number 10 shirt and set an example. There were others too — Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar. That entire team greatly influenced me during my teenage years.”

Reports suggest that Manchester United activated Cunha's release clause of 62.5 million pounds, agreeing on a payment structure extending over two years.