Why Man Utd must close ranks to contain Cunha

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be influential in Matchweek 22.

Player analysis - Matheus Cunha

There is no doubt that Gary O’Neil has unlocked Cunha’s potential in 2023/24, with the Brazilian enjoying the most productive season of his career so far.

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Cunha is thriving in a bolder, more adventurous Wolverhampton Wanderers side, supplying 11 direct goal involvements already, compared with just two last season. 

Encouraged to express himself, to run at defenders anywhere on the pitch and to get himself into goalscoring positions, Cunha has been one of the league's most exciting players to watch.

Manchester United struggled to stop his mesmeric dribbles on the opening weekend of the campaign, so Erik ten Hag must come up with a plan to contain the 24-year-old at Molineux this Thursday.

Running at defenders

Cunha either plays as a roving centre-forward or as a left-sided No 10 in a 3-4-2-1, and from those areas it is his beautifully-balanced ball carrying which frightens defenders most.

Only four Premier League players have fashioned more chances from carries than the Wolves star, who has produced 15 shots and 11 key passes from those situations.

Manchester City’s dazzling winger Jeremy Doku is the only top-flight player to have completed a higher number of successful dribbles.

Premier League's top dribblers 23/24

Bursting down the middle

United’s central midfield could not cope with the speed of Cunha’s bursts down the middle at Old Trafford.

Casemiro was not supported well enough by Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes around him, and struggled to keep pace with his compatriot.

Cunha carried the ball from deep inside his own half on two occasions, slicing through the heart of Man Utd's midfield to set up chances.

Man Utd's impressive teenager Kobbie Mainoo will supply better athleticism in that part of the field in this return fixture.

The 18-year-old must screen service into Cunha, who will ask for the ball in half-space infield pockets behind him.

In 1v1s Mainoo will also be asked to do a better job of slowing Cunha down.

Varied finishes

Cunha has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, his best return to date, and his array of finishes has been impressive.

He despatched terrific headers against Crystal Palace and Fulham, and curled a magnificent left-footer into the far corner at Arsenal, replicating a right-footed effort he had put away at AFC Bournemouth.

Cunha's goal v Arsenal

Cunha has shown a penchant for converting close-range tap-ins. Then, in last Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round win at West Bromwich Albion, he ran onto a through ball to slot home a crisp right-footed strike from the angle.

Taking greater responsibility under O’Neil, Cunha is pushing himself into better positions and converting opportunities with greater confidence.

The intelligent passing and movement instilled by the current Wolves head coach in the build-up phase is freeing him up in more space, and Cunha is making the most of it.

Doyle settling in well

Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle is also in excellent form ahead of Thursday's encounter.

The 22-year-old struggled for starts earlier in the campaign but now looks at home in the heart of O’Neil’s midfield.

Doyle was superb in a ball-winning capacity last time out at Brighton & Hove Albion, recovering possession on several occasions in the 0-0 draw.

This interception inside the final third is typical of how proactive Doyle can be when he jumps out from midfield, so Man Utd must be wary when passing out from the back.

Doyle is eye-catching on a technical level too. His long-range passing is an asset when Wolves look to release the pacy Pedro Neto in behind, while in general play he is a reliable distributor.

This brilliant piece of skill against Brighton also showcased his quality in tight areas.

Coming back from a press higher up the pitch, Doyle was facing his own goal before he cleverly flicked the ball away from an opponent to turn and spring an unexpected attack that almost led to a goal.

Brimming with confidence, the youngster will be eager to start and shine against his parent club’s city rivals.

Wolves have not been beaten on home turf since mid-September, and after being unlucky to lose their season opener 1-0 at Old Trafford, there will be a steely determination to claim three points in the return.  

If they do win, they will draw level with Man Utd on 32 points.

Cunha and Doyle are two standouts on current form, but throughout Wolves' line-up you will find players who are revelling in the football O’Neil has developed at Molineux.