Matheus Cunha Considering His Future Amid Michael Carrick’s Latest Decision to Bench Him.
Matheus Cunha’s future at Manchester United has reportedly become a subject of growing uncertainty after Michael Carrick made the latest decision to leave the Brazilian forward on the bench. The situation has created fresh questions about Cunha’s role in Carrick’s plans and whether the attacking star could begin to consider his options if his playing time becomes increasingly limited. Cunha arrived at Manchester United with enormous expectations and has been viewed as one of the most technically gifted attacking players in the squad, making any decision to regularly leave him out of the starting XI potentially significant.
The uncertainty comes at a particularly difficult moment for Manchester United. Carrick’s side suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Hull City in their opening Premier League match, with United struggling to create clear-cut opportunities despite having plenty of possession. Cunha was among the attacking players whose performance came under scrutiny during the defeat, with analysis questioning Carrick’s decision to use him in a central attacking role.
With Manchester United now preparing for the next stage of the campaign, Carrick faces difficult decisions over how to structure his attack. The manager has several options available to him, including Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko and Cunha himself. The return of Rashford has added another layer to the competition for attacking positions, while Sesko is also expected to push strongly for regular starts after being introduced from the bench against Hull.
For Cunha, however, the issue is not simply about being dropped for one match. The bigger concern would be whether Carrick sees him as an essential part of the first-choice team or merely another option within a large attacking group. If the Brazilian begins to spend more time on the bench, questions about his long-term future could naturally become louder.
Cunha has already established himself as an important figure at Manchester United, and supporters have generally expected him to play a prominent role in the team’s attacking system. His ability to operate between the lines, carry the ball forward, combine with teammates and create opportunities makes him different from some of United’s other attacking options. That versatility was one of the reasons his arrival generated so much excitement.
However, Carrick has demonstrated that he is willing to make difficult selection decisions. The manager’s opening-day lineup against Hull included several tactical choices that attracted attention, including deploying Cunha centrally and giving new signings important responsibilities. United ultimately struggled to turn possession into meaningful attacking opportunities, with the team recording 21 shots but producing relatively few high-quality chances.
That result could encourage Carrick to change his approach.
If the manager believes Cunha is not producing enough from his current position, he could decide to alter the Brazilian’s role or reduce his minutes. Alternatively, Carrick could move Cunha back into a position where he is more comfortable and use another player as the central striker. Either way, Cunha’s reaction to the situation could become important.
The Brazilian is unlikely to be satisfied with becoming a regular substitute. At this stage of his career, Cunha will want to play regularly, particularly with major competitions ahead. Manchester United are returning to the Champions League this season, meaning there should theoretically be enough matches for Carrick to rotate his attacking players. But there is still a major difference between being rotated and being consistently overlooked.
That distinction could determine how Cunha views his future.
If Carrick continues to select other attackers ahead of him, Cunha could begin questioning whether Manchester United remains the right environment for him. Players at the highest level generally want clarity over their role, and an established international forward will naturally expect to be involved in important matches.
There is also the issue of competition from Marcus Rashford. Carrick has spoken positively about Rashford’s fitness and attitude since his return to Manchester United, while the England international was also introduced from the bench during the defeat to Hull. Carrick has indicated that Rashford is part of his plans, increasing competition for places in the forward line.
Rashford’s return could therefore have an indirect effect on Cunha.
If Carrick decides that Rashford deserves a regular starting position, while Mbeumo and Sesko also remain important options, Cunha could find himself competing for one of the remaining attacking positions. That would be a challenging situation for a player who expects to be one of the focal points of United’s attack.
At the same time, it would be premature to conclude that Cunha is preparing to leave Manchester United. A single selection decision does not necessarily represent a breakdown between a player and his manager. Football squads change rapidly, injuries occur, tactical systems evolve and players can move from the bench into the starting XI within a matter of weeks.
Indeed, Cunha has previously expressed respect for Carrick. Earlier this year, the Brazilian spoke positively about the Manchester United manager and described Carrick as a highly respected figure at the club and in the Premier League.
That makes the current situation particularly interesting.
Cunha may not have a personal problem with Carrick at all. His concern, if the situation develops, would more likely be about his footballing role. A player can respect his manager while still becoming frustrated about selection decisions.
The biggest test will come in the next few matches.
If Carrick responds to the Hull defeat by restoring Cunha to the starting lineup, the current speculation could disappear quickly. Cunha would have an opportunity to demonstrate that he remains one of United’s most important attacking players. A strong performance could immediately change the narrative and remind everyone why the club invested heavily in his arrival.
But if Carrick repeatedly leaves Cunha on the bench, the situation could become considerably more complicated.
Regular bench appearances could affect the Brazilian’s confidence, particularly if other players are consistently preferred ahead of him. It could also create pressure on Carrick to explain why one of the club’s major attacking talents is not receiving regular opportunities.
Manchester United supporters will also have a major role in the situation. Cunha has developed a strong connection with the fanbase, and supporters generally want to see their most creative players on the pitch. If the team continues to struggle offensively while Cunha remains on the bench, pressure could quickly build around Carrick’s selection decisions.
The timing is especially important because United’s opening-day defeat exposed major attacking problems. The Guardian’s analysis noted that United’s attacking output was a bigger concern than the defensive problems, despite the two goals conceded from set pieces. The team’s chances were generally of low quality, highlighting the need for greater creativity and efficiency in the final third.
That could actually work in Cunha’s favour.
If United continue struggling to create chances, Carrick may eventually decide that he needs Cunha’s creativity and individual ability back in the starting lineup. The Brazilian is capable of receiving the ball in tight spaces, carrying possession through midfield and creating something from situations where a more conventional attacker might struggle.
The manager therefore faces a delicate balancing act.
He must maintain competition for places without allowing important players to feel marginalised. Cunha, meanwhile, must respond professionally and use every opportunity he receives to prove that he deserves to start.
There is also the possibility that Carrick’s decision is purely tactical rather than an indication that Cunha has fallen out of favour. Managers often make selection decisions based on opponents, training performances, fitness levels and tactical requirements. The fact that United have a demanding schedule this season could mean that Carrick wants to rotate his forwards rather than rely on the same players every week.
Manchester United’s return to the Champions League makes squad depth particularly important. The club could potentially play around 60 matches across all competitions, making it almost impossible for every key attacker to start every game.
From that perspective, Cunha’s position may not be as alarming as some reports suggest.
However, footballers judge their situations by opportunities and minutes, not simply by the size of the squad. If Cunha sees himself consistently behind other attackers in Carrick’s hierarchy, he could eventually decide that a move elsewhere would be better for his career.
For now, the most logical outcome is for Cunha to fight for his place.
He has the talent to force Carrick into a difficult decision. Rather than allowing frustration to dominate the situation, Cunha can respond on the pitch. A strong substitute appearance, followed by a decisive performance when given another start, could quickly change the manager’s thinking.
Carrick will also know that leaving Cunha out comes with risks. United cannot afford to struggle for goals and creativity while one of their most naturally gifted attacking players watches from the sidelines. The manager’s challenge is to find a system that allows Cunha, Mbeumo, Rashford and Sesko to contribute without sacrificing the team’s balance.
Ultimately, Cunha’s future at Manchester United may depend less on this single decision and more on what happens over the next several weeks.
If Carrick restores him to the starting lineup and gives him a consistent role, the speculation surrounding his future is likely to fade. If, however, the Brazilian remains a peripheral figure while other forwards receive regular opportunities, his frustration could grow and Manchester United may eventually have to address questions about his long-term plans.
For now, there is no reason to assume that Cunha is definitely leaving Old Trafford. But his latest benching has undoubtedly created an important storyline. The Brazilian arrived at Manchester United expecting to be a major part of the club’s future, and he will now be watching carefully to see whether Carrick’s vision includes him at the centre of the project.
The coming matches could therefore be decisive. Carrick needs to find an attacking formula capable of turning possession into goals, while Cunha needs to show that he can be one of the players to provide the solution. If both sides can find common ground, the current tension could disappear quickly.
But if Cunha continues to find himself on the bench while Manchester United’s attacking problems persist, the questions surrounding his future will become increasingly difficult to ignore.
For a player of Cunha’s quality and ambition, regular football will remain the priority. And for Manchester United, keeping one of their most talented attacking players happy and involved could prove just as important as finding the right tactical system.
The next few weeks, therefore, could tell us much more about where Matheus Cunha stands in Michael Carrick’s Manchester United project—and whether the Brazilian remains fully committed to fighting for his place or begins seriously considering what his future should look like.