Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha is proving indispensable for Brazil's World Cup campaign, with former midfielder Lucas Leiva describing him as 'the key to a lot of what we are doing so well' after the team's improved form in the group stage.
Just days before Brazil face Japan in the last 32, the club are also poised to announce another summer arrival. According to the Standard, a medical has been booked for a new signing, who will follow Brazil midfielder Ederson to Old Trafford. The identity of the player has not been revealed.
“Brazil's Matheus Cunha praised by Lucas Leiva as United near another signing after Ederson.”
On the pitch, Cunha's role under Carlo Ancelotti has drawn comparisons with Roberto Firmino. 'He is more of a nine-and-a-half,' Leiva told BBC Sport. 'Someone who can play like a nine, but also a 10 to link play and create for others.' The forward has already scored three goals at this tournament, but his value extends beyond goalscoring: he drops deep to create space for Vinicius Jr and Rayan, and even contributes defensively, 'almost like a number six in front of the midfield', according to Leiva.
Ancelotti experimented with five different centre-forwards before settling on Cunha, who has started in Brazil's last two games. 'It feels like we are on track,' Leiva added. 'A big part of that is down to Matheus Cunha.'