Matheus Cunha focused on 'bringing back the glory days' at Manchester United despite Cantona comparisons
Matheus Cunha reveals his determination to help Manchester United reclaim past glory, shrugging off comparisons to Eric Cantona. Despite his impressive start, the Brazilian forward remains grounded and focused on building his own legacy at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha says he is determined to "bring back the glory days" at Manchester United. The Brazilian has helped Ruben Amorim's team become a more competitive force this season but the ex-Wolves man says this is just the beginning. But amid his impressive start to the season, the 26-year-old was quick to downplay comparisons to Red Devils icon Eric Cantona.Cantona is widely viewed as one of United's best-ever players, with the Frenchman playing a huge role in turning the Red Devils into the juggernaut that dominated English football for years in the 1990s and 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Last month, former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock said Cunha has "got the aura of Cantona," and club CEO Omar Berrada previously stated that the £62.5 million ($85m) signing will prove to be "Cantona-esque" for the Red Devils. But the player himself thinks he needs to do a lot more before he can be spoken about in the same breath as the forward. He told The Sun: "Wow, what a player. I need to do much more things to be compared to him. When someone says something like this to me, I try to see the good part of this. To be someone who has a lot of passion to play for this club, to play football – and then try to represent everyone inside of the pitch. I feel privileged to be associated with these kind of things and with Cantona also. He made history. And if I can do a little percentage of what he did already, I’ll be very happy and then try to build my way to the guys to remember me also. I’m new at the club. I’m new in terms of the look, all the other performances from the past. Everything for me is new. So I have only my mind in bringing back the United glory days."Arsenal reportedly wanted to sign Cunha from Wolves in January but he ended up signing a new deal that included the release clause that United triggered this summer. Now, he wants to "build his dream" at Old Trafford. He added: "You need to look at even the hard moments in the positive way. Of course, I’m not someone special. Of course, I have my doubts. I have the difficult moments, like everyone. But this kind of world, I don’t feel it is impactful, like pressure to play like for this club or maybe to be someone different from the others. I only want to do it my way. I want to help my team. I only want to build my dream. To be a little part of the United history – be successful – I will always go for that.”The Brazil international ran circles around United for Wolves last season, as he picked up the man of the match award twice against Amorim's side. He scored one and assisted the other in their 2-0 win at Molineux and was instrumental in the 1-0 victory in the return fixture. When asked if United's players were relieved when Cunha joined them, he replied: "Yeah, exactly. It was exactly what happened! It was when I arrived and then I think my back was direct to Nous [Noussair Mazraoui] and to Leny. Because I only looked left and Leny was there. And they said, ‘Wow, wow, I’m so happy to have you on our side right now. It was so hard to get to the ball. And then we talked about the game. I was a little bit shy, you know, in the beginning. But these kind of moments help us be a little bit more comfortable. And then it was very good moments to remember."United are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak, comprising three wins and a draw. They sit eighth in the Premier League but if results go their way this weekend, they could be back in the top four. But to do that, they will have to beat Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a repeat of last season's Europa League final. This will be a good test of Amorim's team as they try and banish the horrors of last term.
Matheus Cunha's Ambition to Revive United's Glory Days
Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian talent, has expressed his desire to play a significant role in Manchester United's journey back to their former glory. Acknowledging comparisons to club legend Eric Cantona, Cunha humbly recognizes the need to achieve much more before being equated with such a revered figure in United's history.
Staying Grounded Despite High Expectations
Despite being hailed by the likes of Stephen Warnock and Omar Berrada, who drew parallels between Cunha and Cantona, the forward remains level-headed and focused on personal growth. Cunha understands the weight of expectations at a prestigious club like Manchester United and is committed to earning his place in the history books through hard work and dedication.
Commitment to the United Cause
Having turned down interest from Arsenal to commit his future to United, Matheus Cunha now sees Old Trafford as the stage to pursue his dreams. The 26-year-old is determined to contribute positively to the team's success and become a part of the club's illustrious history.
Impacting Matches and Winning Hearts
Cunha's influence on the pitch has already been felt, as he showcased his talent against his current teammates while at Wolves. His arrival at United has been greeted with relief by fellow players, who appreciate his skills and dedication towards the team's objectives.
A Crucial Test Against Tottenham
As Manchester United look to climb up the Premier League table and challenge for a top-four spot, their upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur will be crucial. Matheus Cunha's presence will be vital in determining the outcome of the game as United aim to continue their recent unbeaten run.


