Matheus Cunha was the standout performer in Aston Villa loss | OneFootball

Manchester United were somewhat unfortunate to have suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

While it was always going to be an uphill battle for Ruben Amorim’s side due to the absence of six regular players, Man United produced a gutsy performance, pushing the home side to the limit in what was a juicy contest.

Several United players were impressive on the night, although one rising star was a cut above the rest.

United’s firepower up front

The United front line put in an aggressive performance, continuously pressuring the Villa defence. One player who was the heart and soul of the attack was Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian threatened the hosts’ defence since the second minute, with his surprise shot veering inches wide.

As the first half went into stoppage time, it seemed that Villa would go into the breakwith the lead.

Despite the hosts having just scored, United sought an instant reply, with Cunha racing into the box to equalise for his team.

But the Brazilian’s impressive performance didn’t end there.

Cunha’s game in numbers

Cunha was a constant threat in the box, unleashing six shots. Three of his attempts were on target.

He also got 38 of his 43 passes on target, for 88% passing accuracy. One of his three crosses found its target, while one of the two long balls was accurate.

The attacker also completed two key passes.

Cunha also showed flair with the ball at his feet, completing four of seven ground duels.

Interestingly, he completed two tackles, showing some defensive prowess as well.

Although United never got the result they wanted, Cunha’s efforts did well to inject the team with confidence as they look to navigate a challenging holiday period.

(Stats via Sofascore)

Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images

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