Why Manchester United are now doing their shopping closer to home

P erhaps this sauntered into your social media feed this week: Matheus Cunha, playing five-a-side on a basketball court in his hometown of João Pessoa. Showcasing skills that come straight from the gods.
In a clip that went viral, Cunha beats two players and puts his foot on the ball to draw another two in, then scoops the ball through a gap and hurdles their legs to escape. The instant he lands, there's a little back heel to set up a team-mate to score. A filthy, delicious assist.
Manchester United fans, understandably, revelled in the footage, but in many ways it was irrelevant, shedding little insight into why their club signed Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5million. Film they should really feast on involves Cunha scuffing home a winner against Bournemouth away in February, or passing in a straightforward finish versus Leicester City in April. He was recruited not for skills he might show in a Brazilian setting but output proven in a Premier League one.

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