“They don’t understand”: Beaming Matheus Cunha reveals why he turned down rival clubs to join Man United | OneFootball

Matheus Cunha has revealed the emotional motivation behind his decision to snub other clubs in favour of completing a sensational move to Manchester United.

United activated Cunha’s release clause last month, effectively securing his services from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On Thursday, United confirmed that Cunha had completed his transfer from Wolves and put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

He enjoyed a fantastic 2024/25 campaign with Wolves and was a big reason behind their successful bid to beat the drop. Cunha bagged an impressive 15 goals and provided an additional six assists in 33 Premier League appearances.

The Brazilian scored 31 goals in 76 games across all competitions for Wolves since joining them from Atletico Madrid in 2023.

His stellar displays at Molineux drew significant attention, with Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur all reportedly keen on securing his services. But the moment United came knocking, Cunha didn’t think twice. Now, in his first interview with club media, he has revealed exactly why.

“It is the most common phrase that you can say at this moment, but this is the dream come true. Maybe outside, I think maybe my decision, they don’t understand. But when you have always dreamed to play here, it’s easier to pick this decision.”

“For me, no one else is like United. Of course, I know it’s been a hard season for everyone. I think my decision shows what this club is for me, and what I believe this club can be.”

When asked how a boy from the city of João Pessoa in Brazil developed such a deep love for United, Cunha responded, “It is hard to find a way to explain this club for me.”

“My house didn’t have the channel to watch the Premier League. My cousin’s house didn’t have the channel. He’s older than me and he supports United and he showed me the way, to start to watch the Premier League and to need to support United.”

“Only in my grandma’s house, we can watch the Premier League, so we organised to go every weekend. And for me, it was always a bit inside of me, this club. When I play with him in the street, on the beach, on the gravel pitch, we called these pitches ‘Old Trafford’. Imagine!”

“So, wow, it’s so hard to be here now, thinking about the past — it’s very emotional for me.”

Playing for United undeniably brings a level of pressure and scrutiny unmatched by any other club in world football.

However, Cunha feels he is ready for it and believes he can manage expectations.

“Yeah, I’m so free from that. I think I’m grateful to be part of the biggest national team in the world. The pressure there is huge also and I learned a lot. I think in the beginning, it was a little bit difficult, in parts for me.”

“To be honest, sometimes I don’t think I managed well and, yeah, like I say, I learn from the mistakes also. I don’t think they’re mistakes, I think it’s normal, it’s learning, and to come here now, I think it is the best moment in my life to also feel open for these kind of details.”

Cunha explained that he is looking forward to working with Ruben Amorim.

“You know, to have like a big coach around you to teach you, show you the way to go, of course, it is always easier and I’m so excited. And, yeah, I’m so grateful to have Ruben with me day by day and, of course, Ancelotti when I go to the national team.”

“I think he [Ruben] is very important [reason] to bring me here. I really believe in him. Everything that he did in Portugal, like I say, I hope he can conquer the world, like he did in Portugal. But, of course, I think he needs the players who can do everything, like I’m open to doing, and help the team and help him. All the conversations we have had made my decision easier.”

Cunha divulged that he grew up idolising United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.

“I remember the whole squad at the time that I started to watch. I like, in the front, [Wayne] Rooney. Wow! [He’s] someone I think I have a lot of particulars in my game, as I always give everything.”

“He was then the no.10, I remember it on his shirt, and everyone loved the skills of the player in this shirt, but he always brought more. He goes to the grass to take the ball; this kind of energy inside of him was a big example.”

Cunha added, “Of course, I can mention a lot of the players. Cristiano] Ronaldo, everyone knows, it is easy to talk about him. But Ryan Giggs [as well]. Everyone! I can imagine the team, you know, it started with [Edwin] Van der Sar in the goal, Rio Ferdinand, with [Nemanja] Vidic, the defenders.”

“Paul Scholes, wow, [Michael] Carrick. The team for me was a big impact for my teenage years.”

United fans will get their first glimpse of Cunha in action during the club’s pre-season tour next month.

Featured image Joe Prior via Getty Images

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