Manchester United Sideline Matheus Cunha to Avoid Burnout
Everyone expected to see Matheus Cunha leading the line for Manchester United in their pre-season match against Bournemouth. Instead, his name was missing from the squad. The reason? No dramatic injury or off-field issue—just plain old fatigue. Manager Ruben Amorim made it clear: with a packed pre-season schedule, there’s no point pushing players to the edge. After all, Cunha only signed for United in June 2025, and he’s already started back-to-back friendlies against Leeds United and West Ham United.
For a signing who cost £62.5 million from Wolves, fans are eager to see more of him. But Amorim stressed it’s all about careful workload management this summer. “We don’t want anyone running on empty before the real games start,” he said. Instead, Amorim seized the opportunity to give other squad players some much-needed minutes. That decision paid off, with United putting four goals past Bournemouth in an easy 4-1 win.
Standout Performances, Cautious Changes, and New Faces Ahead
While Cunha was resting, United still found plenty of attacking flair, showing that the squad has depth even without their expensive summer recruit. The absences, intentional as they were, meant opportunities for younger or fringe players to show what they’ve got—something pre-season fixtures are tailor-made for. Some supporters probably wanted more of Cunha, but if it means he’s fresh for bigger matches, most can understand the move.
It wasn't just the forward line that saw some rotation. Harry Maguire, who’s been under the microscope lately, also got a taste of the club’s cautious approach. Substituted at halftime, not because of any major issue, but as a gentle precaution. Maguire reportedly picked up a slight knock in training, so Amorim took no risks—his focus is on ensuring Maguire’s full fitness for the Premier League's start.
There was another buzz at Old Trafford about the possible debut of Bryan Mbeumo, one of United’s latest additions. Amorim hinted that Mbeumo could feature in the next friendly against Everton. The excitement is real—the French-Cameroonian winger had a strong finish at Brentford and fans imagine what he could bring to United’s attack.
But for now, it’s all about working with what’s available, keeping legs fresh, and fine-tuning fitness. Pre-season isn’t about results, but it never hurts to win convincingly. And that’s exactly what Manchester United got—a look at new faces, a rested Matheus Cunha, and still plenty to cheer about.