PERHAPS it was part of the plan for Carlo Ancelotti to bench Matheus Cunha for Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco.
’s best spell of form for was after he was suddenly dropped by Michael Carrick for his first game in charge in January.
Cunha has donned the No.9 for Brazil in the USA Credit: EPA
Cunha has scored three goals at the World Cup Credit: Getty
With United 1-0 up against City, Cunha emerged and teed up for the clincher. He also laid on a tap-in for that was chalked off for a narrow offside.
Eight days later, Cunha flung off his tracksuit top again and went one better, clipping in a fabulous winner at Arsenal to end their unbeaten home streak.
Dorgu had pulled up injured, Cunha took his place and he went on to tally five more vital goals in five wins. Cunha started in 13 of United’s remaining 15 games, missing one through injury and earning a final-day rest in the Brighton sunshine.
Cunha, the No.10, is the No.9 for Brazil. A playmaker by trade, Cunha’s role under Carrick has been on the left wing. For Ancelotti, it is through the middle.
The successful switch from centre to left at club level must have convinced Ancelotti that Cunha was worthy of donning one of the most feted numbers in international football.
Cunha asserted himself impressively as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Morocco and has since scored three goals in two games against Haiti and Scotland.
Romelu Lukaku and Robin van Persie are the only United players to tally four goals at a and Cunha is perfectly placed to at least emulate them.
He is Brazil’s starriest World Cup No.9 since Ronaldo in 2006. Since the finals in Germany 20 years ago, Luis Fabiano, Fred, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison have sported the ‘9’.
Fabiano was a fine forward in a successful Sevilla side but not elite. Fred, from his name to his skill set, was hopeless. Jesus was more workhorse than goalscorer and Richarlison emotional and erratic.
Richarlison scored a creditable three goals in Qatar, including a memorable volley against Serbia. But neither Richarlison nor Jesus made Ancelotti’s 26-man party in the United States. Igor Thiago started against Morocco after a standout season for Brentford, bagging 22 Premier League goals.
Yet his promotion was premature and Thiago was a passenger against a dominant Morocco in a testing first half.
Thiago debuted for Brazil in March. Cunha made his Brazil bow in 2021 and has big-club nous not just from his season with United but 18 mixed months with Atletico Madrid.
Figures at United speak warmly about Cunha. They had been warned he could be difficult and would turn on the charm when the cameras were turned on but have found him to be a pleasure to deal with.
Cunha did not score until his ninth appearance against Brighton and the wait to break his drought had started to bug him. His return to the starting XI after a brief spell on the sidelines in September resulted in a committed but careless performance in the 3-1 humbling by Brentford.
Cunha was dropped for the next game against Sunderland but Ruben Amorim deemed him indispensable for the trip to Liverpool. Cunha performed masterfully in United’s first win at Anfield in almost ten years.
He had played for Brazil against South Korea and Japan in Seoul and Tokyo in the week before the game, fuelling doubts about a starting role. Cunha completed 90 minutes against Liverpool and the only cramp he encountered was possibly also some canny gamesmanship.
Cunha put Scotland to the sword Credit: PA
Cunha joined United last year Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Cunha collected four yellow cards in his first season with United, having seen red twice with Wolves the previous campaign.
United sources feel the opportunity of playing for the club has reinforced Cunha’s focus and improved his discipline. His work ethic has never been in question, either, despite the overstated statistic that he did more walking than any other Premier League player in the 2024-25 season.
High-ranking United officials said they wanted to “come out of the blocks” with the swift signing of Cunha last summer. His £62.5million release clause meant he checked into The Lowry Hotel on the final day of May.
United acted similarly last month, agreeing a deal for another Brazilian to become their first summer signing.
Ederson is a benchwarmer for Ancelotti. Brazil have warmed up with Cunha as a starter.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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