Add as preferred source on Google
Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire were left surprised by a key defensive stat that Matheus Cunha holds over any other Manchester United player in the current season.
Matheus Cunha has netted seven times and registered four assists in his 30 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old Brazilian forward has been a key attacking option for both former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim and interim head coach Michael Carrick.
However, Cunha has equally impressed with his defensive duties from the left flank in his debut season at Manchester United since his 2025 move from Wolves.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images What is Matheus Cunha’s best position?
Let us know where you want to see him playing for Man Utd…
Getty Images Ground duels are a major Man Utd strength for Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire had no idea about it
Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire went head to head in a series of questions around key stats involving Manchester United first-team players this season.
Ground duels were one of the areas that came up and Bruno Fernandes picked Casemiro, only to be told that he went with the wrong choice for his answer.
Maguire stepped up immediately after Man Utd captain Fernandes and the 33-year-old England international picked Three Lions teammate Luke Shaw instead.
However, Matheus Cunha was revealed as the right answer to the question, with Maguire laughing at the reveal while Fernandes was caught by complete surprise.
“That must be wrong,” Fernandes muttered, before turning his head away with his hand over his mouth.
What is your verdict on Matheus Cunha’s debut season for Man United?
Getty Images Ground duels from Matheus Cunha surpass triple digits in a Man Utd shirt for the 2025-26 season
Ground duels are where Cunha has excelled in the data and Manchester United’s official website revealed that the former Wolves star has won the most at 115.
Former United manager Ruben Amorim had said earlier in the 2025-26 campaign that he wanted to see more from Cunha’s defensive qualities under his reign.
“He brings something that is hard for us to point [at], it’s not just the ability and the talent,” he told MUTV last October, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“He has something that he is really comfortable playing in this kind of environment. He can take our team forward.
“He needs to improve a lot of things, especially defending, but he has something special and he is a really important player for us.
“He can play in different positions, so I expect the same in the next game because, in our club, it’s really important to show it in every week.”
Man Utd will return to Premier League action at Old Trafford on Monday evening and the Red Devils will host Leeds United for their first match in the post-March break.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox