Cunha’s season at Wolves has showcased exactly what makes him so unique.
For United, whose attacking play has often looked sterile and predictable under Erik ten Hag, Cunha could be the chaos agent they need. With Rasmus Højlund still developing and Marcus Rashford struggling for consistency, Cunha offers an alternative: a forward who can link midfield to attack with clever touches, but also run at defenses with reckless abandon. His style invites defenders to dive in, to panic, to make mistakes — precisely the kind of volatility United’s attack has lacked.
Yet with the good comes the unpredictable. Cunha is emotional. When he’s on, he can dazzle; when he’s frustrated, he can drift, trying to do too much alone. He’s not a system player — at least not in the traditional sense. United would need to allow him room to express himself rather than confine him to strict patterns. This raises questions about how he would fit into Ten Hag’s structured philosophy, which demands discipline off the ball and strict positional play.
Still, football is a game of moments, and Cunha is a moments player. His energy, his willingness to take risks, and his flair in the final third could be exactly what United need to unlock deep defenses — especially at Old Trafford, where patience often turns into restlessness among fans.
The financial aspect will also be interesting. Wolves, having paid around £44 million to make his move from Atlético Madrid permanent, will not sell cheap. United, operating under financial fair play constraints, would need to be creative. A deal could hinge on player swaps, structured payments, or even loans with obligations to buy.
In many ways, Cunha’s personality fits Manchester United’s historical DNA: the club has always been at its best when built around entertainers, risk-takers, players who play with fire in their bellies. Think Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, or even a young Cristiano Ronaldo — players who weren’t robots but artists in their own unpredictable way.
