Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim believes new signing Matheus Cunha is exactly the kind of player the team needs, following their 0-0 pre-season draw against Leeds United in Stockholm.
Cunha, a £62.5m arrival from Wolves, started the game as one of the two advanced midfielders in Amorim’s familiar 3-4-2-1 formation, showcasing the directness and attacking threat that convinced United to bring him in.
Amorim: “Cunha showed what we need”
Despite United failing to find the net, Amorim was quick to highlight the 26-year-old Brazilian’s positive contributions — particularly his movement between the lines and aggressive intent in the final third.
“I think Matheus Cunha showed what we need — when he receives the ball between the lines, he can be really aggressive in the direction of the opponent,” said Amorim after the match.
Manchester United Starting XI vs Leeds (Pre-season opener)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Onana |
| CBs | Martínez, Varane, Dalot |
| WB | Shaw, Wan-Bissaka |
| CMs | Casemiro, Fernandes |
| AMs | Collyer, Cunha |
| ST | Rasmus Højlund |
New System Still in Progress
Cunha's debut featured glimpses of chemistry with Bruno Fernandes, but Amorim admitted the midfield balance wasn’t right, especially with Bruno dropping deeper alongside Casemiro — leaving United lacking tempo in central areas.
The Portuguese boss hinted that Bryan Mbeumo, whose arrival is imminent, will eventually replace Toby Collyer in that advanced role.
Leeds Give United a Tough Test
Leeds United, fresh from winning the Championship, started strong under Daniel Farke and handed debuts to several new signings including Jaka Bijol, Felix Nmecha, Sean Longstaff, and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Amorim praised their intensity and called the match a “big test” for United’s evolving system, reiterating that building attacking chemistry will take time.
Analyst Verdict: Promising Signs for Cunha
Cunha offered energy and aggression in his brief debut, but it’s clear that he’ll need time to build relationships with his teammates, particularly Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Højlund. Still, Amorim seems convinced he has the right man.
Key Insights
- Matheus Cunha made his Manchester United debut in a 0-0 draw with Leeds
- Amorim praised his aggressive ball-carrying and positioning
- Cunha played in a dual 10 role in a 3-4-2-1 formation
- Bryan Mbeumo is expected to replace Collyer in the same system
- Amorim called the Leeds clash a “big test” and pointed to midfield pacing issues
What’s Next for United?
Manchester United will continue pre-season preparations in Asia, with Amorim looking to build partnerships and finalise his preferred XI ahead of the Premier League opener in August.
What did you think of Matheus Cunha’s debut — and who should partner him in the 10 role?
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