Antony sends message to Matheus Cunha after Man United transfer confirmed
Matheus Cunha is already close to some of his new Manchester United team-mates after his move from Wolves was confirmed.
Man United wrapped up their first headline signing of the summer transfer window after they triggered Cunha’s £62.5million release clause at Molineux, with Paraguayan Diego Leon set to follow next month.
Cunha’s 15 goals and six assists in 33 Premier League games as well as a clear desire to leave Wolves this summer alerted several other clubs to his availability, but it’s the Red Devils who have won the race.
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo could soon follow Cunha through the doors of Old Trafford as United address a disastrous season on multiple fronts, with Ruben Amorim keen to add reinforcements up front.
Cunha and Antony set for contrasting Man United futures
Cunha’s arrival at Old Trafford will cause a shake-up with United’s existing forward options, and Marcus Rashford is likely to see his number 10 shirt claimed by the Brazilian once he returns from Aston Villa.
Rashford is far from the only Red Devil with an uncertain future this summer, with Jadon Sancho on his way back from Chelsea and Real Betis keen to make Antony’s half-season loan spell a permanent one.
Antony has scored nine goals and added five assists in 26 appearances for Betis since his arrival in January, and joined up with Casemiro and Cunha on international duty with Brazil this week.
There are no guarantees that Cunha and the exit-linked Antony will play together at Old Trafford, but the latter still tagged Cunha in an Instagram story post (4 June) which also featured a ‘red heart’ emoji.
Man United to press on with Antony sale as Cunha arrives
Amorim has made clear that he plans a significant overhaul this summer, and Football Insider revealed on 24 May that Cunha and Mbeumo could be two of several new faces on their way to Old Trafford.
United’s failure to qualify for Europe means that sales aplenty will be needed, and Rashford has been offered a new exit route with Barcelona prepared to make compromises on his financial demands.
Antony’s future also seems certain to lie away from the Premier League, but after his £82m arrival from Ajax, Man United are set to make a significant loss no matter how they structure a deal with Real Betis.