Brazilian forward MatheusCunha will wear the Atlético de Madrid shirt again this Tuesday, after having been transferred to Manchester United in the 2023 winter market for 75 million euros. In the Champions League matchday, the player who has played 135 games and scored 44 goals for his two clubs since January 2023 is expected to face his former team in a duel that promises to be decisive for both sides.
Cunha arrived at Atlético in January 2022, when DiegoSimeone's club signed him from Hertha Berlin for 50 million euros. During his two and a half year stay, the forward scored seven goals in 54 games, averaging one goal every 255 minutes and eight assists. Despite his potential, he only appeared as a starter in eleven of the 60 available matches, which represented 18.3% of Simeone's lineups. The lack of opportunities was compounded by the departure of other forwards such as JoaoFélix, AntoineGriezmann and LuisSuárez, leaving Atlético with a fragmented attack.
After his departure, Cunha joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he established himself as the undisputed starter. In 92 games played between 2023 and 2025, the forward increased his scoring rate to one goal every 208 minutes and provided a greater physical and technical presence in the game. His performance caught the attention of Manchester United, who signed him for the 2025-2026 season. In his first year at the English club, Cunha has scored 12 goals and registered six assists in 43 games, with a goal every 273 minutes, a figure that, although lower than that of his previous clubs, indicates a phase of adaptation to the PremierLeague and the Brazilian national team.
The return to Madrid is presented as an opportunity for Cunha to demonstrate his evolution and become the Metropolitan's offensive reference. Unlike his first stage, the player now has the experience of having been a starter in two different leagues and having participated in international competitions, which gives him a broader vision of the game. Atlético, for its part, seeks to reinforce its attack with a striker who has proven to be capable of adapting to different styles of play and overcoming the pressure of the big clubs.
With the Champions League underway, the match between Atlético and ManchesterUnited promises to be a clash of styles and ambitions. While Atlético look to consolidate their position in the European table, United look to advance in the competition following the arrival of Cunha, who is expected to bring creativity and experience to the forward line. The result of this duel could mark the course of both teams in the group stage and Cunha's career as one of the most promising forwards in European football.