Gary Neville has urged Manchester United to push through a move for Matheus Cunha. United have held positive talks with the Wolves star and are now working towards agreeing personal terms.
While he signed a new contract with the Midlands side in February, that deal contains a £62.5million release clause. That has attracted the attention of United, with Cunha having starred in Wolves’ successful battle to beat the drop.
He has scored 16 goals and notched four assists in all competitions, as well as winning the free-kick that led to Wolves’ winner against United on Sunday. That result lifted Vitor Pereira’s side level on points with the Red Devils, having been dead and buried in December.
His performances have impressed United chiefs, with boss Ruben Amorim keen to overhaul his squad this summer. As well as a striker, top of his shopping list is a new No.10 for his 3-4-2-1 system.
Cunha has been identified as a top target, with Neville throwing his support behind a deal. The legendary skipper insisted that United are ‘desperate’ for a player in Cunha’s mould as they look to solve their scoring problems.
“They’re desperate in that position, he would suit the system. You think of what Manchester United are playing now. They’ve let Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford go, three players who more naturally travel with the ball,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“They’re playing with Garnacho at the moment but that leaves them lopsided. On the other side it’s Zirkzee or Bruno Fernandes stepping up one, Mason Mount is sometimes there too.
“They need someone who can beat players, someone who is equally as good at running through the middle with the ball as well as sometimes going outside. He’s the type of player you could see Manchester United being interested in.
“He suits this system that Ruben Amorim wants to play. They’ve lost three players who fill that position so they need to fill those roles or they’re going to struggle. They need to score goals, Manchester United.
“You need players who can takes risks, are good in the final third and Cunha’s got a lot of ability. If I was playing against him, I wouldn’t like a player with a bit of fight, some of the best players in the world had a spike to them. I love a player with a character.”
Cunha has already signalled his intention to move from Molineux this summer. He came close to departing in January, but opted to remain to help their battle for survival. Now that is accomplished, he feels ready to make a step up in his career.
“I had a lot of offers but I wouldn’t feel well if I had done it,” Cunha told the Guardian in March. “Some things you can’t control but I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.
“Now, we’re close to achieving our goal [of staying up]. But I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”
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