Cantona MK II? Cunha could be the catalyst for a Manchester United resurgence
Manchester United’s dismal 2024/25 season has sparked plenty of debate about their ability to regain their status at the top of the football world. While history dictates that United remain a ‘big club’ in football today, their slide during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era has raised questions about that status.
Intriguingly, one of the former manager’s most famous transfer moves could be the template for a resurgence in the club’s fortunes over the next few years. His decision to sign Eric Cantona from Leeds United in November 1992 was the catalyst for United to embark on a period of unprecedented success in the English football.
His demanding nature improved standards at the club and ultimately allowed Ferguson to establish the Red Devils as the number one club in the world. Fast forward to today and the Mancunian giants are close to sealing a deal to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5 million.
While Cantona arrived at Old Trafford for a more modest £1m fee, there are plenty of similarities between him and the Brazilian forward. Cunha is 26 years old, the same as Cantona was when he joined United. He has also had some disciplinary issues, although not to the same extent as the fiery Frenchman.
However, the resemblance between their style of play is what makes Cunha’s impending move to United such an intriguing proposition. Stellar movement, creativity, flair and sharp finishing are traits that made Cantona such a big hit with United fans during his time with the club.
Cunha’s ability to keep the statisticians on football livescore platforms busy by weighing in with goals and assists coupled with his versatility should ensure he follows in the same vein. His natural inclination is to come deep and get the ball, much like Cantona in his pomp. Aside from the lack of an upturned collar, the likeness between the pair is staggering.
Some pundits have questioned whether Cunha’s temperament will rock the boat at United. The same accusations were previously levelled at Cantona and that worked out well. The Brazilian made football news headlines for the wrong reasons on several occasions last season, most notably when he clashed with Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez in March.
That type of fighting spirit has been sorely lacking at United in recent seasons and will be a useful asset as the club strives to climb back up the standings. Cantona is famed for being a mentor to United’s youngsters during the 1990s due to his winning mentality and stubborn refusal to suffer fools gladly.
Cunha could have a similar impact on the Red Devils, with the squad likely to feature a sizeable crop of emerging talents in need of leadership. He will likely thrive on the responsibility of being one of the figureheads at a club and this could help to elevate his own performances even further.
Chris Sutton, who was part of the Blackburn Rovers team which pipped United to the title in 1994/95, believes Cunha’s temperament is part of his appeal. “It’s not a question mark,” Sutton said. “It’s like saying don’t sign Wayne Rooney back in the day.”
Given how Rooney’s signing worked out, and Cantona before him, it is little wonder that manager Ruben Amorim is so keen to sign Cunha. United fans love maverick characters – players who will fight for the badge, get them off their seats and give everything they have got to the cause. Cunha ticks all of those boxes and more.
Signing the Brazilian forward will not fix all of United’s issues, but it would undoubtedly be a significant step towards them becoming contenders again. If he has anywhere near the same impact as Cantona, followers of the club on livescore platforms will be able to look forward to more positive results.