Matheus Cunha can bring an on-field ‘personality’ that Manchester United is sorely missing in the club’s quest for Premier League glory.
That’s the view of club legend Wes Brown, who has lauded the Wolves star following a stunning season at Molineux.
The Red Devils appear to be the front-runners in the Cunha sweepstakes as several clubs are interested in triggering his £62.5million release clause.
A big boost for United in their pursuit is that Cunha’s preferred destination is Old Trafford, talkSPORT understands.
One key factor that may have swayed Cunha’s thinking would be the chance to play in one of the two No. 10 roles within United boss Ruben Amorim’s system.
This season has marked Cunha’s best-ever goalscoring return across all competitions with 16 strikes – 14 of which have come in the Premier League.
It is an impressive haul given Wolves’ have largely struggled over the course of the campaign, with a run of seven wins in their last ten league fixtures dragging the club away from danger.
Although Brown was effusive in praising Cunha’s goalscoring ability, it is the Brazilian’s fiery side that he is more enamoured with.
“I think he’s done very well for Wolves,” Brown told talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs.
“He’s one of their better players. Can create stuff himself. He’s got that individual personality.
“We’ve seen that in the games he played against us.
“On the pitch he’s got personality and I think we’re missing that sort of character at the moment.”
The fact Cunha willingly wants to move to United, despite their collective woes this term, is ‘always good’ in the eyes of Brown and is representative of ‘good character’.
Brown, who made over 360 appearances for the Red Devils, also acknowledged Cunha ‘has a bit of a personality off the pitch’.
“But I always think with the best players, that does happen,” Brown said.
“As long as he does it on the pitch, I think he would be a good signing.”
Although Cunha may be one of multiple attacking signings, there is intrigue about the future of error-prone goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The 29-year-old produced a string of errors in the first leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final against Lyon which heaped even more pressure on him.
Amorim gave Onana a break from the spotlight for the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle and the Cameroonian was recalled for the second leg, which United won in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Reports recently emerged United were interested in Porto gloveman Diogo Costa, although it has been claimed his £64m release clause is proving a major stumbling block.
But Brown did not believe a change between the sticks was needed, even if Onana has had some moments to forget.
“You’d love me to say yes, but I’m going to say no [change is needed],” Brown remarked.
“Onana, he’s made some big mistakes this season and I completely get it. He’s been at fault for many important games.
“It’s a position where you’d like to be consistent, it’s as simple as that. He has to get better.
“He’s a good keeper and if you cut the mistakes out, I think you’re fine.
“But that’s what football is about, you have to cut them out.”
Brown added Onana has conceded ‘too many goals’, but pointed out it was a collective issue rather than simply a goalkeeping one.
“It’s not been good enough in multiple areas,” Brown added.
“There’s been one or two great individuals, but you have to tighten things up if you want to start challenging for cups and leagues.
“Not just the defence, but the whole team has to be more consistent.”
