Brazil is still intensifying preparations for the World Cup, but the Manchester Evening News reports that Manchester United forward Cunha may miss out on the starting lineup, and his situation at Manchester United next season is also somewhat similar. He will face competition from Doku on the left wing, and Manchester United has not ruled out signing another winger. Cunha's versatility in the front line means he has not yet defined his position. He was perfectly suited to one of the two number 10 roles under Amorim, but his role has changed since Carrick took over.
Cunha's first season after joining Manchester United from Wolves for £62.5 million was impressive, but it remains unclear where his best position truly lies.
This is not necessarily a problem, but generally, versatile players are often used to fill gaps across the field rather than having a fixed position in the squad.
Cunha perfectly fits this description—he can play on both wings, as a center forward, or as an attacking midfielder. Under Amorim, he was well-suited to one of the two number 10 roles, but his role has become less clear since Carrick took over.
In Carrick's first two games, the Brazilian was a super sub: he came off the bench to score against Manchester City and Arsenal, after which Doku's injury allowed him to play as a left wing-back. When Doku returned from injury in the season's final match, Cunha was back on the bench.
His performance on the left was generally good, but he failed to maintain width like a natural winger. The 27-year-old seems more comfortable playing in central areas.
This is also his regular position in the Brazilian national team, where he has played centrally from the October warm-up matches to the World Cup preparations. He started 6 of the 8 warm-up matches, but as the tournament approaches, his starting position is now precarious.
Raphinha and Vinicius' starting positions on the wings seem secure, and the competition is focused on the central attacking roles, with growing calls in Brazil for Brentford forward Igor Thiago to start.
Previously, Ancelotti tried to create a system that could accommodate Raphinha, Vinicius, and Cunha, but there's a view that this system wouldn't provide the team with the necessary attacking focal point in a 4-3-3 formation with Casemiro, Guimaraes, and Paqueta in midfield.
Thiago is a more pure number nine, and young Endrick is also making a case for himself with his last-minute winner against Egypt in Sunday's warm-up match. After the match, Ancelotti spoke about the different characteristics of several central attackers.
"Endrick has that quality, he is physically strong and has excellent positioning in the box, able to seize opportunities and score," he said. "He is an important player for us."
"All players are important and have different qualities. Matheus (Cunha) is not as good a finisher as Endrick, but he plays a significant role in attacking organization."
The former Real Madrid manager needs to make a balanced choice: does he need Cunha's attacking organizational role, or does he want a number nine who scores more and is active in the box? If it's the latter, it might not be good news for the Manchester United forward.
This may also give us a glimpse into Cunha's situation at Old Trafford next season—where he will be striving for a place in Carrick's starting lineup. He will face competition from Doku on the left wing, and Manchester United has not ruled out signing another winger.