Recent reports indicate that Manchester United are in a strong position to sign Matheus Cunha, whose release clause stands at £62.5 million. While several other European clubs are monitoring the Brazilian forward, the 25-year-old is reportedly keen on making Old Trafford his next home.

This season has been Cunha’s best yet, with 16 goals in all competitions—14 of which came in the Premier League—a remarkable achievement given Sporting CP’s inconsistency. Manager Ruben Amorim typically deploys two attacking midfielders behind a striker, a system where Cunha thrives as a No. 10.

Rooney said on The Overlap: “I think there are plenty of players good enough for Manchester United. Cunha is a standout, but many players with high reputations have struggled in recent years. It’s a tough challenge.”

United should identify a core group of players who can contribute over the next two to three years, rather than chasing big names like Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba, or Zlatan Ibrahimović. Targeting superstars isn’t the right approach, and I don’t think Cunha is at that level yet.

Rooney also noted that financial constraints could play a significant role in United’s summer plans. With stricter Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, especially for clubs missing out on Champions League revenue, the margin for error is slim.

He added: “FFP may impact them, so signings must be much smarter. Identifying a group of players, similar to Liverpool’s approach in recent years, could gradually restore United to their former glory.”