Manchester United Target Matheus Cunha, Rashford’s Future in Jeopardy

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United is actively pursuing a deal to sign Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, a move that may hinge on the sale of key players like Marcus Rashford. The Red Devils must raise the £62.5 million required to trigger Cunha’s release clause, which could mean selling Rashford or other squad members.

Ruben Amorim, the head coach of Manchester United, has made signing the 25-year-old Cunha a top priority for bolstering the team’s attack, alongside a new center-forward. Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has an option for Villa to buy him for £40 million. However, United could potentially secure a larger fee if they sell him to a different club.

Rashford, who earns approximately £365,000 per week, has three years left on his contract. Selling him could free up nearly £100 million for United, allowing them to finance Cunha’s transfer and alleviate their wage bill. Cunha is believed to earn around £90,000 per week, suggesting that if he were to agree on a substantial salary increase, Rashford’s departure could provide the necessary funds.

Reports indicate that Rashford no longer wishes to play under Amorim due to a strained relationship. Other players such as Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Casemiro could also be sold to enhance United’s transfer budget. Amorim has reportedly identified Liam Delap as his prime target for a center-forward role, with a £30 million release clause if Ipswich Town is relegated — a scenario that seems likely.

“I want to fight for titles, for big things,” Cunha stated in March, emphasizing his desire for a new challenge after remaining with Wolves despite interest from other clubs.

United is under pressure to improve its scoring, having registered only 45 goals this Premier League season — a club record low. Cunha, with 25 goals in his last two seasons at Wolves, is seen as a potential game-changer, especially after a strong performance against United earlier in the season.

The finalization of Cunha’s potential move depends heavily on player sales. Aston Villa has a £40 million option to buy Rashford, while Chelsea holds a similar obligation for Sancho. Furthermore, United aims to maximize the return on other assets to meet their spending needs for the summer transfer window.

As the transfer market approaches, Manchester United’s plans for bolstering their squad will require a careful balance of outgoing player sales and strategic new signings to improve their attacking options.