Manchester United fans have experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the past two seasons, with the club enduring one of its most turbulent periods in recent memory. The 2024–25 campaign ended in disappointment as the Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League and suffered a stinging defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. But as the dust settles, a new chapter is unfolding at Old Trafford—one defined by fresh faces, a revamped strategy, and a burning desire to return to the summit of English football.
The appointment of Portuguese manager Rúben Amorim midway through last season signaled a dramatic shift in philosophy. Amorim, known for his tactical acumen and preference for a back three system, inherited a squad accustomed to a back four. The transition was anything but smooth. Players struggled to adapt, and the results reflected the growing pains of a team in flux. "The level of the matches is certainly much higher, the players and teammates are also at a higher level. After all, English football is at the highest level in the world of football," admitted new striker Benjamin Sesko, echoing the sentiments of many as United’s evolving identity took shape.
Transfer policy has long been a sore point for United supporters. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, the club’s big-money signings have often failed to meet expectations. The likes of Antony (£85 million), Jadon Sancho (£73 million), and Mason Mount (£60 million) arrived with fanfare but struggled to deliver consistent performances. Last season’s tally of 44 Premier League goals underlined the inefficacy of United’s attack, with Mount sidelined by injury and Sancho departing on loan after a high-profile fallout. As the club faces the constraints of Financial Fair Play (FFP), wasteful spending is no longer an option.
Enter INEOS, the new ownership group determined to steer United back on track. Their vision? Prioritize Premier League-proven talent and avoid the pitfalls of overpaying for untested stars. The summer of 2025 saw the arrival of Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million—a signing that has sparked both optimism and debate among fans and pundits alike. At 26, Cunha brings a wealth of experience from stints in Germany, Spain, and England, and his football journey is nothing short of remarkable.
Cunha’s professional career began with a leap of faith, moving from futsal in Brazil to Swiss side FC Sion at just 18. There, he made an immediate impact, notching 16 goal contributions in 29 Super League matches. His exploits earned him a transfer to RB Leipzig, where he honed his craft in the Bundesliga, Europa League, and Champions League. A mid-season switch to Hertha BSC in 2020 saw him thrive as a left-sided forward, tallying 8 goals and 6 assists in a single campaign.
In the summer of 2021, Atletico Madrid snapped up Cunha, utilizing him as a rotational player in LaLiga. Despite limited starts—just 8 out of 29 appearances—he managed 6 goals and 4 assists. The following season, he contributed 2 assists in 370 minutes before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, a move that became permanent for €50 million. At Wolves, Cunha truly found his stride. Initially deployed as a striker in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, he posted 14 goals and 8 assists in the 2023–24 season. The summer arrival of Jørgen Strand Larsen saw Cunha adapt seamlessly, playing alongside the Norwegian or as an attacking midfielder.
The managerial carousel continued at Wolves with Vítor Pereira replacing Gary O’Neil in December 2024. Pereira’s 3-4-3 system proved tailor-made for Cunha, who flourished in the left-sided number ten role. Under Pereira, Cunha registered 8 goals and 3 assists, finishing the 2024–25 Premier League campaign with 15 goals and 6 assists. But the numbers only tell part of the story. Cunha created 57 chances, completed 61 dribbles, won 183 duels, and made 125 recoveries—statistics that underscore his all-around contribution. Defensively, he ranks above the 88th percentile for interceptions, blocks, and possession won in the final third for his position, making him a rare breed of attacker who excels on both sides of the ball.
What sets Cunha apart is his directness and forward-thinking approach. Blessed with pace, composure, and an eye for goal, he’s a nightmare for defenders—equally adept at scoring from distance, finishing from tight angles, or threading incisive through balls. His dribbling technique is deceptively simple yet devastatingly effective, drawing opponents out of position and creating space for teammates. "He has exceptional pace and composure on the ball which helps him retain the ball and progress it through tight areas of the pitch," noted one observer, highlighting the Brazilian’s unique skill set.
Defensive work rate is another feather in Cunha’s cap. He presses aggressively, supports his fullback or wingback, and consistently ranks among the league’s best attackers for defensive actions. For a United side that often looked porous in midfield last season, his presence promises to shore up the team’s structure and resilience.
Manager Rúben Amorim is expected to deploy Cunha as the left-sided number ten in his favored 3-4-2-1 formation—a role the Brazilian excelled in at Wolves. The hope is that Cunha’s experience, versatility, and leadership will inject much-needed directness and creativity into a squad desperate for goals and inspiration. "He’s going to feel that the Premier League is really aggressive, he’s going to learn, but he has a great potential and I can see Ben being a striker for Manchester United for a lot of years," Amorim said of another new arrival, Benjamin Sesko, but the sentiment applies equally to Cunha.
Sesko, meanwhile, has endured a challenging start to life at Old Trafford. The 22-year-old Slovenian, signed from RB Leipzig for £74 million, has yet to find the net in his first three Premier League appearances—all from the bench. His only start came in a shock Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby Town, where he struggled with cramp and faced criticism for his late penalty shootout appearance. Yet Sesko remains upbeat: "I am getting better and faster in every training session, and I am also progressing in my football mentality every day. I wanted to move to England and fortunately my wish came true."
Amorim’s faith in Sesko’s long-term potential is unwavering, even if the young forward’s adaptation is a work in progress. The manager’s decision to bring on Joshua Zirkzee instead of Sesko when Cunha was injured against Burnley raised eyebrows, but Sesko did see 20 minutes of action late in the match. With a track record of hitting double figures in the Bundesliga, expectations remain high that Sesko will soon make his mark in England.
As Manchester United embark on the 2025–26 campaign, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The club’s recent failures have been laid bare, but the arrivals of Cunha and Sesko—combined with a clear strategic vision under INEOS and Amorim—offer genuine hope for a brighter future. Whether this new-look United can recapture former glories remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the journey promises to be anything but dull.
