Matheus Cunha Urges Manchester United Fans to Keep Believing
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has called for patience and continued belief from supporters after the club made a difficult start to the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Cunha spoke after Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on Sunday, with the Brazilian scoring a late equaliser to rescue a point for Michael Carrick's side.
Despite the disappointing result, Cunha insisted that there is still strong belief within the Manchester United dressing room and pointed to the club's turnaround during the previous campaign as evidence that the team can improve.
“I feel like inside of us, we still have a lot of trust, we know what we do,” Cunha said.
He acknowledged that Manchester United need to improve sooner this season than they did last year.
“We know we need to improve earlier, because last season we improved later.”
Cunha then offered a message of optimism to supporters.
“So imagine if we improve earlier this season, something good can come.”
Manchester United Rescue a Point at Fulham
Manchester United entered the Fulham match looking for a result after a difficult opening to the Premier League campaign.
The game at Craven Cottage appeared to be heading toward another defeat when Fulham took the lead in the second half.
United eventually found an equaliser through Cunha in the 89th minute, with his effort taking a deflection before finding the net.
The goal prevented Manchester United from suffering another defeat and gave them a point from a match in which they had struggled to convert their opportunities.
Cunha said he did not believe the overall performance was as poor as the result might suggest.
He pointed to the chances Manchester United created and suggested that better finishing could have produced a different outcome.
However, he also acknowledged that the team lost control for a period of the game before responding strongly after conceding.
Cunha Points to Last Season's Turnaround
A major part of Cunha's argument was based on Manchester United's experience from the previous season.
According to the Brazilian, there was significant criticism surrounding the club during the early stages of his first season at Old Trafford.
United eventually improved and finished third in the Premier League, while also securing Champions League football.
Cunha recalled that some observers had even questioned whether Manchester United would struggle badly enough to face relegation.
He used that experience to explain why he believes the current situation should not automatically be viewed as a reflection of how the entire season will develop.
The important difference he identified, however, is timing.
United improved later last season. Cunha believes an earlier improvement this time around could give the team a better platform for the remainder of the campaign.
“All the Belief Is Inside”
The 27-year-old forward stressed that the players themselves continue to believe in their ability.
His comments were directed at the perception that the team's poor start could indicate deeper problems that cannot be corrected during the season.
Cunha instead argued that there is confidence within the squad.
“I feel like inside of us, we still have a lot of trust, we know what we do, all the belief is inside.”
He also described the current campaign as still being in its early stages.
Manchester United's opening results have created pressure around the team, but Cunha believes the players can use the coming period to address their shortcomings.
The Need for Greater Intensity
Cunha also discussed Manchester United's performance against Fulham and the difference in the team's intensity during the closing stages.
After going behind, United appeared to raise their tempo and eventually found the equaliser.
The forward said the team needs to reproduce that energy earlier in matches rather than waiting until it is under pressure.
At the same time, he said Manchester United cannot rely solely on frantic attacking football.
Cunha explained that the team needs a balance between energy and composure, particularly when making decisions in possession.
In his view, combining those qualities could help United improve their performances.
International Break Gives United Time to Reset
The draw with Fulham was followed by an international break, giving Manchester United time to reassess their performances before returning to competitive action.
Cunha admitted that the timing of the break was frustrating because he wanted the team to have another opportunity to respond immediately.
“When you don't win, you feel this kind of feeling to let's play the next one to win,” he said, according to NBC Sports.
However, he also acknowledged that the break could give the squad an opportunity to settle down, reorganise and return with clearer ideas.
October is expected to bring a demanding schedule for Manchester United, with Premier League and Champions League commitments on the calendar.
Cunha described the upcoming period as potentially a significant month for the club.
Tottenham Await Manchester United After the Break
Manchester United's next Premier League fixture is scheduled for October 10, when Tottenham Hotspur visit Old Trafford.
The fixture will provide the team with another opportunity to demonstrate whether it has addressed some of the problems that have affected its opening matches.
Cunha's message suggests that the players remain focused on improving rather than allowing the difficult start to define their campaign.
The Brazilian's late goal at Fulham at least prevented another defeat, but the draw also highlighted the gap between the team's current performances and the level Cunha believes it can reach.
For Manchester United supporters, his comments provide an insight into the mindset inside the dressing room: the players believe improvement is possible, but they also recognise that it needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Cunha's central message is therefore one of belief combined with an acknowledgement that improvement is required.
The forward is not suggesting that Manchester United's problems will disappear automatically. Instead, he has pointed to the need for the team to learn from last season, raise its level earlier and maintain greater consistency.
With a long season still ahead, Manchester United now have the international break to work on those areas before returning to action.
For Cunha, the calculation is straightforward: if the team can find its improvement earlier this season than it did last year, he believes there is reason to expect a better period ahead.
