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Backyard dreams to Old Trafford: Cunha reacts to Manchester United move

When asked about the footballers who shaped his passion for the sport, Cunha highlighted several Manchester United greats like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo among others.

Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha

Shashwat Nishant New Delhi

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As the Premier League 2025–26 season approaches, Manchester United’s newest recruit, Matheus Cunha, opened up about what it means to join the club and shared some heartfelt memories from his childhood that sparked his admiration for the Red Devils. He also spoke about the football legends who influenced his style of play during his formative years. 
 
'I still can't believe I'm here'  In an exclusive chat with JioHotstar, Cunha expressed his emotions about signing for Manchester United:
 
“It’s honestly hard to put this feeling into words. Joining United is like living out a childhood dream. Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m here. This club has always held a special place in my heart. Back in Brazil, we didn’t have access to Premier League matches at my house or my cousins’.  The only place we could watch them was at my grandmother’s home. So, every weekend, we’d gather there just to watch the games. My older cousin was a passionate Manchester United supporter and he was the one who introduced me to the club and the league. I still remember pretending to be a United player on the rough gravel pitches we had back home. Thinking about those days and seeing where I am now, it’s incredibly moving.” 
 
 
When asked about the footballers who shaped his passion for the sport, Cunha highlighted several Manchester United greats:
 
“Wayne Rooney was a big inspiration for me. I admired how he gave everything on the pitch, sliding in for tackles, working hard defensively, and still making a huge difference in attack. I’ve tried to bring some of that same energy and commitment into my own game. He wore the iconic number 10 shirt and led by example. Of course, there were others too, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar. That whole squad left a lasting impression on me during my teenage years.”

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First Published: Jul 17 2025 | 8:17 PM IST

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