Three ways Man Utd could line up with Matheus Cunha as move made for £62m Wolves star

Manchester United have become the frontrunners to sign Matheus Cunha after holding positive talks with the Wolves attacker’s representatives ahead of what is set to be a busy summer transfer window for the Red Devils

Manchester United have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Matheus Cunha this summer. The Red Devils have made progress in talks for the Wolves star and are making the first steps in agreeing personal terms.

Cunha has starred for the West Midlands side this season, playing a key role in their successful battle to beat the drop. He has scored 16 goals and notched four assists in all competitions, including winning the free-kick that led to Wolves’ winner against United on Sunday.

Although he only signed a new contract in February, it does have a £62.5million release clause as the player looks to keep his options open. He has spoken about taking the next step and wanting to challenge for titles . As such, United are ready to make their move and hope to negotiate the terms of his clause with Wolves at a time when Ruben Amorim seeks to overhaul his squad.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are all expected to leave, opening up a space for Cunha. The Brazilian is expected to take up one of the No.10 roles in Amorim’s side.

But he also has the ability to play as a lone striker himself, handing Amorim plenty of options. Here, Mirror Football looks at how United could line up next year if Cunha does arrive.

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Option 1

Amorim will not be changing his philosophy any time soon, meaning the 3-4-2-1 formation is here to stay. United are expected to be busy this summer, but for now we’ll work on the basis that Cunha and Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap are the only two to arrive at Old Trafford.

That means Andre Onana would start in goal, behind a back three of Lisandro Martinez, Mathhijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro. Patrick Dorgu would start as the left wing-back, with Noussair Mazraoui on the right, while Kobbie Mainoo would partner Manuel Ugarte in central midfield.

That then just leaves the new-look attack, with Cunha joining captain Bruno Fernandes in one of the No.10 spots. Ahead of those two would be Delap, who is available amid Ipswich’s impending relegation.

Line-up 1: Onana; Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro; Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mazraoui; Fernandes, Cunha; Delap

Option 2

Another option would see Cunha starting as the lone striker. The 25-year-old is capable of filling that role, having played there five times this season for Wolves, scoring two goals.

The team would largely be the same as option 1, with the goalkeeper, defence and midfield remaining intact. The change would come in attacking midfield, with Mason Mount partnering Fernandes in the No.10 spots.

Mount has endured a difficult debut campaign at United, but Amorim would hope to get the best out of him if he can stay injury-free. With Mount coming in, Cunha would shift up-front to the striker position.

Line-up 2: Onana; Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro; Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mazraoui; Fernandes, Mount; Cunha

Option 3

The third and final option we’re discussing here relies on United winning the Europa League and subsequently qualifying for the Champions League. In that scenario, Cunha and Delap are likely to be joined at the Red Devils by Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

Dibling features as a No.10 like Cunha and the duo could be picked together if United are facing a team setting up in a low block. That would allow the attack-minded Fernandes to drop into central midfield alongside Ugarte.

Delap would then be played through the middle as the lone striker. Dibling’s arrival does depend on United winning the Europa League, so this option is the outside bet among the three.

Line-up 3: Onana; Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro; Dorgu, Ugarte, Fernandes, Mazraoui; Dibling, Cunha; Delap

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