“I grew up watching him”: Cunha pays tribute to United icon after receiving no.10 shirt
Manchester United have confirmed that forward Matheus Cunha will wear the number 10 jersey next season, replacing its previous holder, Marcus Rashford, who is not in the club’s plan.
The Brazil international is the club’s first signing this summer, arriving in a £62.5 million deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
United consider him a perfect fit for the attacking midfield role in manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up, having done the same at Wolves.
Cunha also donned the number 10 jersey at the Molineux Stadium for one season, following Daniel Podence’s switch to Saudi Pro-League side Al-Shabab last summer.
The 26-year-old was presented with his new jersey after the group training session at Carrington on Tuesday.
The Brazil international is excited to be given the privilege to wear the iconic shirt number at United, revealing that he grew up watching legend Wayne Rooney wear it.
He told ManUtd.com: “Yeah, wow. It’s something that you always dream about,” he told us.
“I can mention many players that use this shirt. It’s so easy for me.
“Of course, I think the one that I always think about when I see this number in this shirt for me was Wayne Rooney. He was someone that I grew up to watch him play and I have [watched] many games now.
“Then I swapped shirts with Marcus [Rashford, after a game] also, I have his shirt in my home. But, of course, we know many players used this shirt – [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic.
“It’s the dream not only to use the shirt, but with all the history they have around the number, it’s something beautiful that I have the privilege to do it.”
He hopes to emulate Rooney, arguably the best player to wear the shirt number at United.
He resumed for pre-season on Monday, alongside fellow new signing Diego Leon.
Cunha appears to be settling in quickly, chatting with team-mates about previous encounters — ‘especially with Maz [Noussair Mazraoui].’
Article written by Henry Thornton .