Matheus Cunha

Read the key quotes from Cunha's interview

Thursday 10 July 2025 08:14

Matheus Cunha has been recalling past encounters with his new team-mates, as he settles into the Manchester United dressing room.

Cunha reported back to Carrington from his summer break for pre-season training on Monday, along with the first wave of Reds players.

The 26-year-old, who will wear the no.10 shirt for United, has been a regular opponent since moving to England with Wolverhampton Wanderers on an initial loan in 2023.

He scored and assisted against the Reds in a 2-0 win for Wolves on Boxing Day, but it doesn’t seem like anyone’s holding that performance against him!

“Yeah, I think always like as an opponent, you know, it's different,” he told club media in our exclusive interview which you can watch below.

Cunha reveals all about his first week Video

Cunha reveals all about his first week

CUNHA AT CARRINGTON | Club reporter Sam Carney chats to Matheus about his first week as a Red...

“We’re joking when I go to the locker room, we’re talking about some games, especially with Maz [Noussair Mazraoui]. I think it's always with him, my [individual] battle.

“But, of course, we’re talking about the games, we’re talking about the seasons and then, yeah, I think everyone was very lovely with me, [it was a] very warm welcome.”

This week and next are all about raising the fitness levels, ahead of the first of five friendlies the Reds will play this summer. Leeds United are the initial opponents, in Stockholm, and that game could see Cunha make his club bow.

As he adapts to his new surroundings, he’s already looking forward to pulling on the red no.10 jersey for the first time.

“Every single thing here I'm so excited to do and I look [at it] like a dream,” he said.

“Then I hope like, when we start to kick the ball, it will be a little bit more calm for me to adapt and then feel like I feel normal in the pitch.

“But, of course, I'm so excited to maybe go and then do everything that I want to do with the shirt and, of course, to go to the locker room and see [for] the first time the shirt there, [that] will be something then.

“I hope I can manage better than I think.”

Of course, Cunha is honoured to be United's no.10, calling it ‘a dream’ to have been given the coveted shirt number.

Matheus was presented with his new jersey after the group training session at Carrington on Tuesday.

The Brazilian reacted with pride and deference to those who have come before him, name-checking some of United’s most celebrated forwards of recent years.

“Yeah, wow. It's something that you always dream about,” he told us.

“I can mention many players that use this shirt. It's so easy for me.

“Of course, I think the one that I always think about when I see this number in this shirt for me was Wayne Rooney. He was someone that I grew up to watch him play and I have [watched] many games now.

“Then I swapped shirts with Marcus [Rashford, after a game] also, I have his shirt in my home. But, of course, we know many players used this shirt – [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic.

“It's the dream not only to use the shirt, but with all the history they have around the number, it's something beautiful that I have the privilege to do it.”
Cunha wore no.10 with Wolves last season, scoring a career-best 15 league goals as the Black Country outfit recovered from a poor start to comfortably secure Premier League survival.

As the Reds’ first incoming player of the summer, the focus for the 26-year-old will now be on carrying his Molineux form to the Old Trafford stage.

He’s certainly hoping to follow in the footsteps of his fellow no.10s and play a productive role in United’s attack.

“This is the most important, this is the most important,” Cunha added.

“I don't know, with every single number, it will be a pleasure to use the shirt. But, yeah, with this one it’s something different.

“Then, of course, the responsibility is coming, and I hope I can do everything like goals, assists and help the team.

“So this is kind of a very important point for my position.”

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