Matheus Cunha: Man United learning reality of signing maverick attacker | OneFootball

The football world has become so bleakly obsessed with the concept of players “showing their true colours” that the phrase has all but lost its meaning. A pat on the back, a like on a social media post, the omission of a former team-mate from an all-time dream XI – these objectively minor gestures are gladly blown up into a sensationalist story about how a hero/villain has shown themselves to be every bit as good/bad as we always thought they were.

So when a player actually does do something which shows an authentic version of themselves the terminology comes up short, so how about an example? Matheus Cunha’s recent performances for Manchester United would be a good one.

Good signing

There is no argument that the Brazilian was an excellent signing for United, and one which has made the team and the squad better. That is clear to see on the pitch, and was clearer still during his time spent sidelined through injury.

His positive off-field impact has also been explained in no uncertain terms by backup goalkeeper and elder statesman Tom Heaton, who if he knows anything at all it’s what the mood is like in the dressing room.

However you slice it, Cunha’s combative creativity and his unflinching desire to make something, anything, happen has been a shot in the arm for an attack which even now has a tendency to relapse into last season’s toothless torpor.

Two sides

The problem is, sometimes that do-or-die attitude is much more ‘die’ than ‘do’. Long before he was signed Cunha was seen as a maverick, a showman ready to do things his way, and United are now having to come to terms with the realities of that approach to the game.

It’s marvellous when it comes off, but maddening when it doesn’t. As per FBref at the time of writing, the 26-year-old has attempted the most take-ons of anyone in the squad by some distance; this is all part of the unashamedly selfish game Cunha plays, and that he is top of the charts for both successful take-ons and number of times tackled illustrates the highs and lows of his approach.

Similarly, his single-mindedness in front of goal is quickly getting old. It will surprise nobody to learn that Cunha has taken more shots than any of his teammates while struggling to find the net. He has fired ten more than top scorer Bruno Fernandes, but has only managed three goals – half as many as the Portuguese.

The reality

Having scored in two consecutive matches – the 4-4 debacle against Bournemouth and the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa – Cunha was meant to be entering a purple patch, but that hasn’t quite gone to plan.

With Ruben Amorim scrabbling for creativity and flair in the absence of the injured Fernandes, Cunha was an obvious candidate to step up and be the main man for United, but that also hasn’t quite worked out.

He is still a thrilling attacking force, but is yet to show he can carry United on his shoulders the way the Portuguese does, and the way he did with Wolves last season.

Make no mistake, the Red Devils are lucky to have the enigmatic Brazilian but fans are quickly learning that they have a star who needs the Marilyn Monroe treatment – to have him at his best, they must learn to handle him at his worst.

Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images

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