EXPERT VIEW: MATHEUS CUNHA BETTER THAN CHELSEA'S £60M STRIKER
Brazil legend Roberto Carlos picks Man Utd's Matheus Cunha over Chelsea's Joao Pedro to be Brazil's main striker for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos believes Matheus Cunha has what it takes to lead Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.
Manchester United really felt Matheus Cunha's absence in their recent 1-0 loss to Everton at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim took responsibility for the performance, saying United lacked bite and inspiration up front, even when playing against 10 men for most of the game.
Ruben Amorim said about Matheus Cunha:
Cunha is different. He brings something special that's hard to find. He's skilled with the ball, but he also has a presence that can get into opponents' heads, which is really important.
Because Cunha was out, Amad Diallo started in the No. 10 role on the left for United, but the experiment lasted only 45 minutes before Amorim subbed him out for Mason Mount.
The good news is that Cunha's injury isn't serious, and he's expected to play a big part for both United and Brazil when he returns.
During the November international break, Cunha was in great shape for Brazil as a central striker, a position he's occasionally played for United. With Benjamin Sesko injured, he might lead the line for the Red Devils when he's back.
Roberto Carlos, who has won the World Cup and Champions League three times, knows talent when he sees it. He's backing Cunha to be Brazil's main striker over Chelsea's Joao Pedro.
When asked on The Obi-Wan Podcast who should start up front for Brazil, Carlos said, "I like Matheus Cunha." Joao Pedro is still young. Playing in Europe is good for Pedro's growth, but I think Matheus Cunha is the better player right now.
Discussing Brazil’s World Cup chances, Carlos added, “I think with Neymar playing well, Vinicius playing well.”
Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha, Richarlison, Joao Pedro, and Estevao—Brazil has a lot of players. They just need to figure out how to play without the ball.
They are talented with the ball, but they have to improve their play when they don't have it. I think Brazil is slowly getting better and can make it to the World Cup and maybe even the final, since R9 retired.
United were also interested in Joao Pedro when they signed Matheus Cunha.
Just a day after Cunha's £62.5 million transfer was announced, United showed interest in Joao Pedro as a striker option.
Chelsea ended up signing Pedro for £60 million.
Since joining Chelsea, Pedro has scored four goals in the Premier League this season. However, Cunha has been starting ahead of Pedro for Brazil, and Carlos wants that to continue at the 2026 World Cup.
CONTRACTUAL LIFELINE: UNEARTHING THE STRATEGY BEHIND ANDRE ONANA’S RETURN FROM TURKISH LOAN SPELL
Onana vs Lammens: Get the latest on the £44M keeper’s return from Turkey and why Michael Carrick values "reliability over chaos."
Andre Onana isn’t giving up on his Manchester United career, even with his replacement grabbing the spotlight while he’s away on loan. Right now, Onana’s spending the 2025/26 season with Trabzonspor in Turkey, while Senne Lammens has stepped up as United’s new first-choice keeper.
United signed Lammens from Royal Antwerp for £18 million on deadline day last September, and soon after, Onana was shipped out on loan. There’s no option for Trabzonspor to buy him, so Onana will be back at United this summer. He’s already played 72 games for the club.
Onana has turned out 20 times for Trabzonspor, but honestly, United probably aren’t paying much attention. Lammens has looked rock-solid in goal, holding down the spot for 21 straight matches, no matter if Amorim, Darren Fletcher, or Michael Carrick was in charge.
So far, Lammens has five clean sheets and is anchoring a defence that’s clearly improving under Carrick. Altay Bayindir is backing him up, and Tom Heaton is still kicking around in the goalkeeping group.
When United first bought Onana for £44 million from Inter Milan, he was reuniting with Erik ten Hag, his old Ajax boss. He’s still got two years left on his contract. According to Geremi Onana’s friend and a former Cameroon and Chelsea player, Onana hasn’t lost hope of turning things around.
“Listen, I know Andre very well, and there were a lot of issues at United during his time there,” Geremi told Telecom Asia. “It wasn’t all on him. But with Michael Carrick coming in, things are looking up for everyone, including Andre.
“He’s got real talent, and players like him don’t come around often. The next step is for him to go back and fight for his spot. Andre always rises to a challenge. Give him a fair shot, and he’ll show you what he can do.”
We’ll find out what’s next for Onana this summer. United are planning big changes, including a new permanent manager. Carrick is one of the names in the running.
If Carrick gets the job, Onana’s chances might take a hit, since the interim boss is thrilled with Lammens. After Lammens’ man-of-the-match showing in the 1-0 win over Everton, Carrick said, “For me, a keeper needs to be reliable, someone who calms things down, not adds to the chaos. Senne does exactly that.
“He’s quiet and maybe a bit unassuming, but he’s got real steel in him. Stepping in as United’s keeper is a big ask, and not everyone handles it. Sometimes it takes a while to settle, sometimes not. The way he’s handled it so far, he’s calm and composed, and that’s made a huge difference for the defence.”
OFF-PITCH EVOLUTION: INSIDE SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S TRANSFORMATION OF MANCHESTER UNITED’S OPERATING PROFIT
United's PSR escape! Get the details on the £169M accounting loophole and the club's push for a Champions League spot today.
Manchester United’s summer plans are finally taking shape, especially now that we know last summer’s hefty transfer spending will be spread out over the next six years. United splashed out £236 million on new faces during Ruben Amorim’s first transfer window as manager, snapping up Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon, and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
But here’s the catch: the 2024/25 accounting period only counts deals done before June 30, 2025. Mbeumo, Leon, Sesko, and Lammens all arrived after that date in July, August, and September. Those four cost United a combined £169 million.
In a statement, the club made it official: “After June 30, 2025, we acquired or extended the registrations of certain players and football staff for a total of £169,524,000, including associated costs. Payments are due over the next six years. Also, after June 30, 2025, we became liable for sell-on fees and extra payments totalling £2,119,000 for previous signings.”
By spreading that £169 million over six years, United gets more wiggle room under profitability and sustainability rules. That’s a big deal because it lets the club keep investing this summer, right when they have to decide whether to stick with Michael Carrick as manager or bring someone else in.
This week, United announced its second-quarter financial results, showing an operating profit of £32.6 million for the first half of fiscal 2026. That’s a huge swing from last year, when they posted a £3.9 million operating loss for the same period.
The club credits this turnaround to the early impact of off-field changes after Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought in. Ratcliffe wasted no time tightening things up behind the scenes, aiming to make the club more efficient.
Top executives say United has finally got a handle on its structural costs, which helps boost profits and sets the club up for a stronger run, especially if they clinch a Champions League spot.
CEO Omar Berrada put it this way: “We’re now seeing our off-pitch transformation pay off, both in costs and profitability. We’re still focused on football first, and we’re investing in both our men’s and women’s teams.
“On the pitch, our men are fourth in the Premier League, and our women’s team is second in the Women’s Super League. They’ve also reached the League Cup final and the quarter-final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“Today’s results really show the strength of our business as we keep pushing for the best possible results for both teams.”
United hasn’t lost a Premier League game under Carrick, notching up five wins and a draw. That run has lifted them to fourth, just three points behind Aston Villa. Villa plays Wolves tonight, with Wolves stuck at the bottom of the table.
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