Manchester United secures Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million

In England, Manchester United has finalized arrangements to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves for a fee of £62.5 million. The forward is set to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the possibility of extending his deal until 2031. This transfer is expected to be officially completed once Cunha returns from international duty with Brazil and after securing a visa, which is anticipated to be a straightforward process. United is paying the transfer fee in installments over the following two years, having triggered Cunha's release clause last week. Cunha's acquisition is significant for United, particularly as he becomes the first signing during Ruben Amorim's management after his appointment. His arrival comes after a disappointing season for Manchester United where they finished 15th in the Premier League, which marks their worst performance in half a century. Cunha's scoring prowess, having netted 15 Premier League goals and registered six assists for Wolves last season, is seen as a key component in revitalizing United's struggling attack. While Cunha’s transfer represents an important step towards rebuilding the squad, Amorim is also faced with challenges regarding other players. United has encountered setbacks in the pursuit of more talent. Notably, Ipswich's Liam Delap has opted for a move to Chelsea rather than joining United. Additionally, concerns about their captain, Bruno Fernandes, arose as he is weighing a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Amorim remains optimistic, believing Fernandes will stay at the club. Yet, uncertainty surrounds key team members like Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho, who are also in limbo regarding their futures. As United embarks on this critical summer for squad transformation, Amorim must prioritize signing a proven goalscorer, a competent goalkeeper, and a capable wing-back to enhance the team’s dynamics. The club’s management, under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has acknowledged the need to offload high-wage players to finance new signings, placing them under mounting pressure to ensure success in the upcoming season. Amorim’s challenge is multifaceted; not only does he seek to integrate Cunha into the squad, but he must also navigate the complexities of player retention and acquisitions, aiming to steer Manchester United back to the top of the league.