Brazilian forward completes medical after Red Devils trigger release clause • Five-year contract agreed with option for extra year • Amorim lands top target despite missing out on Champions League • Wolves powerless to stop club-record sale
Manchester United have completed their first signing of the summer transfer window, confirming the £62.5million capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Red Devils announced the deal on Sunday, with the Brazilian forward becoming Ruben Amorim’s first signing as the Portuguese manager looks to rebuild a squad that finished a dismal 15th in the Premier League.
Cunha, 26, has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option for a further year, after United triggered the release clause in his Wolves contract and agreed to pay the fee over two years.
The club confirmed the transfer is subject to visa and registration processes, but the deal represents a major coup for United who beat off competition from five Premier League rivals including Arsenal.
INSTAGRAM CONFIRMATION
Manchester United have agreed to the signing of forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves pending visa and registration processes, the club announced Sunday.
The club’s official Instagram account posted confirmation of the deal, marking a swift start to what promises to be a busy summer of recruitment at Old Trafford.
PAYMENT HAGGLE
The transfer negotiations revealed United’s financial constraints after missing out on Champions League football:
“United contacted Wolves and said they would like to trigger the clause but would like to pay the £62.5m in five instalments.”
Wolves turned around and said you’ve got to read the contract, it’s there in black and white – we signed a new contract with the player in January, these are the terms of the contract, if you want him, the £62.5m needs to be paid in three instalments over two years.
United eventually agreed to Wolves’ terms, paying the fee in three instalments of £21million over two years.
BEATING THE COMPETITION
The Brazilian’s arrival represents a significant victory for United in the transfer market:
Five Premier League teams, including United, wanted to sign the Brazil international this summer. Arsenal and Aston Villa were among those who held exploratory talks about signing the Brazil international this year. Saudi Pro League clubs were also willing to trigger his release clause.
But Cunha’s desire to play for United proved decisive:
Cunha believes United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and, regardless of interest from other clubs, the Brazil international wants to play for United.
NO EUROPE? NO PROBLEM
Despite United’s failure to qualify for European football after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, Cunha remained determined to make the move:
Sky Sports News understands Cunha would still be happy to join United and he believes they are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
United are understood to have been impressed with Cunha’s desire to join, whether they had European football or not.
STELLAR SEASON
The forward arrives at Old Trafford after his best campaign in English football:
The forward has enjoyed a standout season at Wolves, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists across 34 appearances.
The forward, signed from Atletico Madrid in 2022 for around £34m, registered 15 goals and six assists across his 33 appearances in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 season.
NEVILLE’S VERDICT
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes the signing addresses a critical need:
“Manchester United are desperate in that position. You think of what Manchester United are playing now, they’ve let Jadon Sancho, [Marcus] Rashford and Antony go, so three players who are natural players who travel with the ball.
“Cunha’s the type of player that suits this system that Ruben Amorim wants to play… They need to score goals. Ruben Amorim said at the weekend that they’re just struggling to score goals, so you need players who can take risks, good in the final third, and Cunha’s got a lot of ability.”
RASHFORD’S NUMBER UP FOR GRABS
In a symbolic changing of the guard, reports suggest Cunha is set to take Marcus Rashford’s shirt number following the England international’s departure from the club.
PERFECT FIT FOR AMORIM
The Brazilian’s arrival is seen as ideal for Amorim’s tactical system:
Cunha makes perfect sense in one of those No 10 roles within Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. He already plays there for Wolves. He can score goals but also create them for others.
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol explained the financial gymnastics:
“We thought United were in trouble financially, we thought they’d missed out on the Champions League, potentially £100m. How come straight away they can afford to sign Matheus Cunha?”
For a club the size of Manchester United, you would have to say that is affordable. They have got financial fair play PSR concerns like all other clubs, players will be leaving Manchester United this summer as well but Cunha won’t be the only signing.
WOLVES’ RECORD SALE
For Wolves, the departure represents their highest ever transfer fee received:
Cunha leaves Wolves as a club-record sale after United met his £62.5m release clause, agreeing to a structure of payment over two years.
The Midlands club had tied Cunha down to a new contract in January, but crucially included the release clause that has now been activated.
MORE TO COME
This is just the beginning of United’s summer spending:
The four positions Manchester United aim to make signings in AFTER Matheus Cunha have been revealed, with talks already underway to land a £50m attacker who bagged 20 goals in the Premier League this season.
I think they will make other signings, but the signings really have to work because you speak to a lot of people in football and they will tell you Manchester United’s recruitment has just not been good enough.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Cunha’s arrival marks the start of a new era at Old Trafford under Amorim, with the Portuguese coach moving quickly to reshape a squad that endured their worst-ever Premier League finish.
The Brazilian’s versatility, goal threat and creative ability make him the perfect player to kickstart United’s rebuild – and his determination to join despite the lack of European football sends a powerful message about the club’s enduring pull.
