Ruben Amorim says Matheus Cunha was 'struggling’ before ending Manchester United goal drought in win over Brighton
Published 25/10/2025 at 23:30 GMT+1
Ruben Amorim was full of praise for Matheus Cunha after the Brazilian got off the mark for Manchester United in a 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. United raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Cunha, Casemiro and Bryan Mbeumo, before being pegged back to 3-2. Mbeumo would then score again late on to seal the points at Old Trafford, propelling United into the top four.
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Ruben Amorim hailed the performance of Matheus Cunha after the Brazilian scored in Manchester United's 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Cunha broke the deadlock with a long-range strike, unleashing a brilliant effort into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.
Bryan Mbeumo scored a brace, while Casemiro was also on target in a win which takes the club up into fourth.
It was also the first time that United had won three consecutive Premier League games since February 2024.
Amorim highlighted the endeavour which the £62.5 million summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers has shown, and explained the growing importance that the 26-year-old has to his team.
"He was struggling. He can hide that, but I understand he's struggling," he told the BBC.
"But he shows confidence in every moment of the game. I really love the way he defends. I know I'm a little bit basic on that, but it's not a surprise the way he responded at Anfield.
"It's not a surprise the way he played with the ball, but without the ball, he's improving. That is going to be massive for our team.
"He needs to score goals; he suffered when he didn't score, but he is a top player because he decides games, and I'm really pleased with him."
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Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Portuguese also praised the display of Casemiro for forcing his way back into the team.
The 33-year-old’s deflected strike doubled United’s lead and Amorim highlighted the midfielder as an example for every player to follow.
"He gives a lot of experience. He's an example for everyone. In the beginning, he was behind every midfielder, even Toby [Collyer], but he fought and worked, and now he's back in the national team.
"He's so important for us, today he ran a lot. He had to press so high and then return. I'm really pleased with him and the other guys need to look at Casemiro."
The United boss will hope that his side have turned a corner following a run of three consecutive wins, and explained how the absence of European football this campaign has been beneficial in their development.
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"I think you sense that. I think the results now; you can feel that. But since the team started this season, the team is playing so much better compared to last season.
"We have different players that are more suited to this style, but it's a big difference. Every team that plays in this league and has to play in Europe, it's so much harder, and we felt that last year.
"I said that last year and I will say the same thing, it's a big advantage to have just one game a week, and we have to take advantage of that."
The Red Devils’ next match comes at City Ground against Nottingham Forest on November 1, ahead of a trip to Tottenham Hotspur a week later, before hosting Everton after the next international break on November 24.
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