Who is Matheus Cunha? The €53m Brazilian Man Utd are targeting

Updated: 16 Aug 2022 17:56 BST
4 min read

Matheus Cunha, Atletico Madrid, 2021/22 — © ProShots

A virtual unknown outside of the Bundesliga just 12 months ago, Matheus Cunha has now found himself linked with a lucrative move to Manchester United.

It has been a meteoric rise for the Brazilian, who in the space of a year was snapped up by Atletico Madrid from Hertha, lifted Olympic gold with his national team and also became a regular in Tite's plans as the Selecao finished top of World Cup qualifying to book their place in Qatar.

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With United in dire need of more depth up front Cunha has come to the fore, with his age - he turned 23 back in May - and industrious playing style both attractive to those in charge at Old Trafford.

But with four years still left to run on his contract he would not come cheap, as Atletico will try to get the best deal possible for their young star.

What position does Matheus Cunha play?

Cunha is an orthodox centre-forward, though he also played on both wings as a youngster in Switzerland with Sion and then in the Bundesliga.

How good is Matheus Cunha?

Good enough to be taken to Europe before playing even a single professional game!

Cunha came up through the youth ranks at Coritiba, getting his big break during the Dallas Cup tournament played in the United States.

A series of stunning performances made visiting scouts stand up and pay attention, and Sion swooped to sign him in July 2017 barely a month after he turned 18.

His time in Switzerland was also fated to be short-lasting. A single season in which he netted 10 Super League goals was enough to convince RB Leipzig to take him to the Bundesliga, moving on again in January 2020 to Hertha after finding himself stuck behind the lethal Timo Werner for a place up front.

Leeds United looking to sign Hertha Berlin star Matheus Cunha — © ProShots

Cunha continued to impress in Berlin and enjoyed a solid debut season last term for Atletico, while also muscling himself into contention among Brazil's attacking superstars.

One thing should be emphasised when talking about the youngster. He is not a free-wheeling goalscorer in the vein of an Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe. Cunha is more adept holding up the ball and playing in team-mates, while involving himself heavily in approach play - reflected in a career strike-rate just shy of a goal every four games.

At Atletico last season, for example, he scored just six times in La Liga (admittedly the vast majority of his 29 appearances were off the bench) but contributed another six assists - and he believes he is only getting better.

"I think I have become an even more complete player in tactical, technical and physical terms," he told Globoesporte in a recent interview.

"The level of play and training is very high. We always play and train to the limit. It's made me evolve. Playing and training with the best has lifted my game."

Strong in the air and as a physical presence too, Cunha is unlikely to make the headlines for his prowess in front of the net but as an all-round technical footballer he has all the tools necessary to go very far indeed.

Which clubs are interested in Matheus Cunha?

Widespread reports suggest that Manchester United are considering a bid worth €53 million for the Brazil star.

Word from Spain, though, is that neither Atletico or Cunha are at this point interested in negotiating with the crisis-ridden Premier League club.

Despite playing just 10 minutes off the bench during Atletico's season-opening win against Getafe and competing with the likes of Alvaro Morata, Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa for playing time, Cunha is happy in Madrid and not looking to leave at the moment.

Atletico, meanwhile, see the forward as a big part of their future plans and will only sell if a club meets his €70m release clause.