‘Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes to clash after Man United transfer from Wolves’
Matheus Cunha is thought to be going to Man United at the “wrong time” when he departs Wolves as expected this summer.
This has been a dismal Premier League season for the Red Devils, who are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
As a result there is a major emphasis on the club to strengthen the squad available to Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.
Man United are apparently confident they can sign Cunha from Wolves as they look to make those improvements to their side.
However, Paul Merson has suggested that the signing of the striker could cause problems at the club involving a key man at the club in the form of Bruno Fernandes.
Matheus Cunha discipline concern identified
This season, the 25-year-old has found himself at the centre of a number of controversies that have seen him get into trouble.
Cunha was slammed for clashing with an Ipswich member of staff at full time in that match back in December, which led to a suspension.
He was then handed a four-match ban after the Wolves striker lashed out at Milos Kerkez during the FA Cup clash with Bournemouth, where he then had to be escorted from the sidelines.
Now, Merson has suggested that means Cunha would fit in well at Man United, and would struggle to get on with Fernandes, who has also been known to react on the pitch.
The former Arsenal man also suggested others who have thrived elsewhere have found it difficult after moving to Old Trafford.
| Man United last five games | Result |
| Man City (A) | Drew 0-0 |
| Lyon (A) | Drew 2-2 |
| Newcastle (A) | Lost 4-1 |
| Lyon (H) | Won 5-4 (AET) |
| Wolves (H) | Lost 1-0 |
Having been asked on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday if the Brazilian is the wrong fit for Amorim’s side, Merson said (26 April, 2:20pm): “Yeah, what’s he missed, seven games through [in]discipline this season?”
After being informed Cunha has missed six games through suspension, he continued: “That’s a lot of games. What I see happening here is frustration.
“Him and Bruno Fernandes will be arguing with each other after about four games. He’ll get frustrated. He can do what he wants at Wolves. He can play one-twos, lose the ball, flick it here, flick it there.
“We’ve seen it with Mason Mount, ripping it up at Chelsea, goes to Man United, completely and utterly different beast. Completely different beast.
“And [Cunha’s] going there at the wrong time. He’s going there when they’re a middle-of-the-table team at tops.”
Man United to take gamble with Wolves deal
Football Insider Verdict
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have both struggled badly for goals at Old Trafford this season, so there is no doubt a new attacking threat has to be a top priority for them when the transfer window opens.
In Cunha, Man United would at least be getting a forward who has proven he can consistently get goals in the Premier League, which is just what they need, and potentially help unlock the struggling front men when playing in behind.
But as Merson says, he is also a player who has had his considerable problems when it comes to discipline this season.
That could make it hard for him to win over his teammates at Old Trafford, and could even enhance frustrations for all involved even further if they add to the struggles of this season.
If that sees him pick up more suspensions, Man United are also going to be getting a player they need to perform week in week out, whose availability from one match to the next is not going to be guaranteed.
With a £62.5million release clause in Cunha’s contract at Wolves, that would be a lot of money for a club in the Red Devils’ financial position to play for a player who is not always reliable in a key way.