Matheus Cunha Makes His Mark: Breaking Down the Brazilian's Electric Man Utd Debut Against Leeds

Manchester United fans have had to be patient to see their new acquisition Matheus Cunha in action, but they were finally able to witness the Brazilian in action on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils made the trip to Sweden for their first pre-season match against Leeds United, with Cunha getting his first start alongside fellow newcomer Diego León. The striker was looking to make an immediate impact for his new team, but his debut performance didn't unfold as expected.

Here's an assessment of how the Brazilian performer did against Leeds on Saturday.

Matheus Cunha vs. Leeds

The first half in Stockholm offered little excitement for Man Utd fans, though Cunha provided the brightest moments for the Red Devils. The 26-year-old had limited touches but demonstrated flashes of quality whenever he got on the ball, bringing some welcome creativity in attack as he attempted to spark the team's play.

Cunha's progressive movement and impressive ball control resulted in him winning two early free kicks as he burst past Leeds defenders before being brought down. A clever touch set up Chido Obi in a dangerous area near the penalty box, while his passing was also sharp as he achieved 92% pass accuracy.

The problem for Cunha was his teammates' performance. Man Utd failed to sustain attacking momentum against Leeds and managed only 44% ball possession in the first half. Consequently, the Brazilian had merely 25 touches, with zero inside the opposition penalty area, and couldn't register any attempts on target or create chances for his colleagues.

Substituted at halftime with the score still 0-0, Cunha will be eager for a more impactful performance in his next appearance for his new club.

When Will Matheus Cunha Play Next for Man Utd?

Man Utd will now head to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series, where they'll compete against fellow top-division teams West Ham United, Bournemouth and Everton. The Hammers are their opening opponents on July 27 at MetLife Stadium—the same venue that recently staged the FIFA Club World Cup final.

Cunha is expected to participate in all three of Man Utd's pre-season fixtures in North America and will likely make his Old Trafford debut as a Red Devil against Fiorentina on August 9.