Cunha: The Next Cantona? A Rising Star at Manchester United

omidbasir- Matheus Cunha was Manchester United’s first signing of the previous summer. Although Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko joined later with their own notable reputations and higher transfer fees, there was something uniquely appealing about the Brazilian that resonated with the fans. United’s chief executive, Berrada, openly praised Cunha’s arrival.

“He’s a player that I think fans are going to love,” Berrada told The Athletic. “We can discuss his technical abilities; he is versatile enough to play in three different positions. He functions as a playmaking attacking midfielder, capable of scoring goals and providing assists. I believe he will lift the crowd and has a bit of swagger that people will appreciate. Dare I say, he has an Eric Cantona-esque quality.”

This comparison to Cantona was not made in isolation. Prior to United’s agreement to sign Cunha, former England midfielder Chris Waddle remarked, “He can be temperamental, but perhaps United would be the making of him. He has a significant opportunity here. If he proves to be one of the players who can turn United around and lead them back to competitiveness, he could be like Eric Cantona—the man who transformed United.”

Former United captain Bryan Robson, who played alongside Cantona for two seasons, also shared his thoughts: “Matheus Cunha possesses a distinct character. He has a strong presence and is quicker than Cantona. However, Eric had extraordinary ball control and was adored by the fans. I hope Cunha can become another Eric Cantona, as that would be fantastic for United.”

Cunha’s initial performances did not yield any goals or assists until he scored a remarkable goal against Brighton in late October. Prior to that, his contributions were already being recognized. Former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock described Cunha as “exceptional” and labeled him the best signing of the summer for the club.

“He has an arrogance reminiscent of Eric Cantona—evidence that he has embraced playing for Manchester United. Whenever he dons the United shirt, he demonstrates why the club invested in him,” Warnock added.

Paul Ince, who also played with Cantona, noted, “Cunha plays with an attitude that suggests he belongs at Old Trafford. To be a great United player like Cantona, one must possess a formidable mindset, and Cunha has that. He has shown that he can handle the pressure and expectations of the club week in and week out. We’ve witnessed many players come and go, unable to withstand the pressure.”

However, amidst a challenging stretch for United that saw only three wins in 13 matches, Cunha appeared to struggle under the weight of expectations, contributing to the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

Amorim acknowledged that the spotlight on Cunha had intensified, noting, “He’s in a different club with different pressures, but I believe he copes well. He was facing challenges due to his lack of scoring and the scrutiny on social media, which may have caused him to overthink his performance metrics.”

Cunha’s statistics were indeed concerning, with only one goal in his first 11 matches across all competitions and no assists. However, his fortune improved, as he recorded four goals and two assists in his last ten matches, emerging as a crucial player for his team.

He set up Bruno Fernandes’ opening goal in a 4-1 triumph over Wolves, netted a potential winner in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, scored shortly after a stunning goal from Morgan Rogers in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and equalized at Leeds in what became Amorim’s final match.

The coaching change has presented mixed outcomes for Cunha; he did not start either of United’s first two matches under Michael Carrick. Nevertheless, he made significant impacts as a substitute, assisting in a crucial goal against Manchester City and delivering a stunning winner against Arsenal. He seems to be thriving under the revitalized atmosphere since Carrick’s appointment.

Reports suggest that Carrick’s training sessions are more engaging compared to Amorim’s, which were marked by extensive tactical instruction that left players feeling emotionally drained. This shift is particularly beneficial for Cunha, who flourishes when playing instinctively.

At the Emirates Stadium, Cunha showcased this instinct, reminiscent of Cantona, with a brilliant finish against Brighton that highlighted one of his best performances of the season. Cantona, too, delivered spectacular goals against Arsenal, securing significant victories for United in the 1990s.

Cantona undeniably transformed United’s fortunes. Joining midway through the 1992-93 season, he played a pivotal role in ending United’s 26-year wait for a league title. His contributions helped the club secure two FA Cups and four out of five Premier League titles during his tenure.

While Cantona was known for his occasional violent outbursts, which led to multiple suspensions, Cunha has also faced disciplinary issues, having been sent off twice last season. The parallel raises questions about whether Cunha can emulate Cantona’s impact.

After Cantona’s retirement in 1997, United experienced a title drought, but they soon filled the void he left, achieving remarkable success in the late 1990s and early 21st century. Sir Alex Ferguson has often referred to Cantona as his greatest signing, claiming that his arrival transformed the landscape of Manchester United.

Despite not being a prolific scorer, Cantona’s overall contribution, including vital assists, made him a key player for United. His legacy includes key goals in decisive moments, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion.

Cunha, who is now at the same age Cantona was when he joined United, acknowledges the journey ahead. “I need to achieve much more to be compared to him,” Cunha stated. “I feel privileged to be associated with such comparisons. Cantona made history, and if I can achieve even a fraction of what he did, I’ll consider it a success and strive to build my own legacy.”

His performance at the Emirates Stadium indicates that Cunha is on the right path toward following in Cantona’s footsteps, and he must continue to build momentum.