Matheus Cunha has a new friend at Manchester United, not least because he’s working hard to make the team successful again and proving to be a hit behind the scenes.
Jeremy joined the Daily Star in 2010 as Manchester football correspondent and has been chief sports writer for over 10 years. He provides expert coverage of Manchester United and Manchester City, the entire Premier League and English football teams. Jeremy has covered Wimbledon, golf majors and the Olympics, as well as the soccer, rugby and cricket World Cups.
Matheus Cunha arrived at Manchester United with a reputation for being difficult to manage. A person who is likely to have a complex personality. The atmosphere is cheerful and peaceful off the pitch, but on the pitch it flares up.
As the red card he received against Wolves showed. There were even some concerns at United executive level about whether he would be a good fit for a club where the pressure and intrusions are relentless. However, Ruben Amorim was determined to sign the Brazilian.
He spent six months collecting video footage of the attacking midfielder, researching his match contacts for the quality of the player United were about to spend big money on. In his first 11 months as manager, Amorim has come to understand what it takes to succeed at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
read more: Joshua Zirkzee demands to leave Manchester United as Premier League club wants to sign him after failed transferread more: How Man United are playing after Benjamin Sesco’s move and what Ruben Amorim has to do next
Amorim is a man with a strong work ethic. So United’s manager is said to have been very impressed when he saw Cunha turn up at the club’s Carrington training facility last Thursday.
The international break is over but Amorim has told his squad to return in 24 hours on Friday to prepare for the daunting trip to Anfield to face Liverpool. However, Cunha reported earlier than expected and was seen doing a light gym session by himself.
A United source said: “That incident reflects his attitude and dedication.
“He left the pitch at Anfield exhausted because he had given everything. But he was happy to do a number of interviews afterwards with broadcasters, which reflects the kind of man he is.”
United staff are said to be “impressed” by Cunha’s polite and courteous demeanor. Qualities are not necessarily associated with top-level soccer players.
Cunha lives a clean life and is happy to fulfill the contractual obligations that come with athletes like him meeting commercial partners, sponsors and charities. However, his most impressive attributes come not only in the game, but also on the pitch.
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Cunha was known to be aggressive in team sessions, even stealing the ball from his teammates to show that he could dominate the flow of the match. Amorim likes it.
A United source added: “He’s a popular player. He’s part of a strong group of players who speak Portuguese and Spanish in the dressing room.”
“He will help bring the team together and the manager is pleased with how he is approaching the challenge of representing the club.”
“There is no sign that his red card will give him a reputation as a so-called ‘bad guy’ at Wolves.”
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