Trips to Molino were often highlights Manchester United star Marcus Rashford Recently, the Red Devils' Boxing Day match against Wolverhampton Wanderers was no different.
Back in December 2022, during Erik Ten Hag's first season, the Englishman was benched after being sent off. Late for a team meeting Earlier in the week. The striker, who has been in fine form after the World Cup in Qatar, duly responded by scoring a fine individual effort after entering the fray in the second half.
It may have been a minor offense for a missed booking, but things improved when the two sides met in the Midlands again earlier this year. Rashford opened the scoring in this dramatic 4-3 win, having been reinstated into the team after initially being disciplined by Ten Hag for his suspension. Mid-season trip to Belfast.
Amid a tense relationship with the former Ajax boss, the 27-year-old was no doubt hoping to enjoy a fresh start following the arrival of Ruben Amorim. Just over a month after the Portuguese took charge, Rashford is nowhere to be seen, with Thursday's defeat to Old Gold marking the fourth successive game without the striker being in the matchday squad.
With Amorim insinuating that the academy graduate didn't do enough to attract him Interview him after the match – And with Rashford himself publicly admitting his desire to “New challenge” – The curtain could soon come down on his long affiliation with United. A replacement, or even a promotion, will soon be needed.
Manchester United is looking for a replacement for Rashford
The Athletic reported On Boxing Day a permanent exit in January looks unlikely for… £300,000 per week A problem due to his huge wages, although a loan departure could represent a potential compromise, in the mold of Jadon Sancho's move to Borussia Dortmund earlier this year.
If United's No.10 moves on, an already diminished attacking line will be left particularly depleted, hence the need to fill that 'void'.
With that in mind, reports in Spain have indicated this Amorim pays personally For the club to get a star for its defeat in midweek, Matthews CunhaThe 39-year-old sees the Brazilian as the “ideal option” to bolster his attack.
The suggestion is that Old Trafford are 'leading the race' to sign Cunha at the moment, although they are likely to have to pay at least €70m (£58m) – As mentioned elsewhere – To secure the January deal.
How does Cunha compare to Rashford?
It's really no surprise that Cunha caught the attention of Amorim and the staff at INEOS, with the former Atletico Madrid player showing everything United – and Rashford – lack during Wolves' 2-0 victory.
As journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted during the match, the in-form goalscorer was simply “exciting” that day, representing a player like the Red Devils.”You should be looking to get it“In 2025.
In fact, not only did Cunha score the opener straight from a corner kick – as well as setting up Hwang Hee-chan for the home side's second goal – but his work on and off the ball was truly impressive, as seen below.
Operating behind centre-forward Jurgen Strand Larsen, the 25-year-old was really lively. Win 14 duelsHe drew five fouls and completed four dribbles successfully.
He described it as “world class”. Journalist George Lakin – while also being praised as “Special playerWritten by Technical Director Vitor Pereira – The former Hertha Berlin player now has ten players English Premier League goals This season, having also created 11 “big chances” and registered four more assists, according to Sofascore.
|
Rashford vs Konya – English Premier League statistics (22/23 – 24/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
State (*per 90) |
Rashford |
Being |
|
Games (start) |
48 (38) |
50 (46) |
|
Objectives |
11 |
22 |
|
Helps |
3 |
11 |
|
Goals + assists |
14 |
33 |
|
holds progressive* |
3.19 |
3.90 |
|
Progressive passes* |
2.38 |
3.53 |
|
Snapshot creation procedures* |
3.21 |
3.30 |
|
Successful acquisition %* |
38.5 |
46.6 |
|
Interventions* |
0.72 |
1.23 |
|
Objections* |
0.22 |
0.57 |
|
Winning aerial duels* |
37.7 |
27.4 |
Rashford, for example, only scored a goal Four goals in the league In the 2024/25 season, while he created only four “big chances” and provided only one assist. Three of those strikes may have come under Amorim's watch, although it's clear he still isn't doing enough to impress.
The difference in form and quality can also be seen in their defensive work, where Cunha's performance is average Two tackles and two interceptions For every match in the first division this season. Meanwhile, his United counterpart said. The average is only 0.8 in this regard.
Likewise, it's not as if this campaign has been a blip in the spell for Wolves, as he has also been involved 12 goals and nine assists In the 2023/24 season, while Rashford was clearly disappointing under Ten Hag, with just one goal… Seven goals and two assists To his name.
Now outpacing United's No.10 for at least the last 18 months, the sought-after talent would represent the proven promotion in the Premier League that Amorim craves.
