FPL signings: No European football boosts Cunha's prospects at Man Utd

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A move to Manchester United may only increase Matheus Cunha's appeal in 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League.

The Brazilian has joined Man Utd from Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he's just had his best Fantasy season.

Cunha registered 178 points in 2024/25, producing 15 goals, seven assists and 41 bonus points. That saw him finish as Fantasy's sixth highest-scoring forward.

In terms of points per match, only three forwards could top Cunha's average of 5.4.

Familiar tactics

Cunha should have little problem adjusting to his new surroundings.

United head coach Ruben Amorim lines his team up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, a very similar set-up to what Vitor Pereira uses at Wolves.

Cunha seems like a ready-made fit for his new club's left-sided No 10 role, from where he impressed for much of 2024/25.

Lack of penalties may not be a problem

Cunha was Wolves' primary penalty taker, but he may struggle to wrestle spot-kick duties away from Bruno Fernandes.

However, last season proved the Brazil international doesn't need penalties to rack up the points in FPL.

Wolves, indeed, were the only Premier League club not to be awarded a penalty in 2024/25.

Most non-penalty goals, 24/25

Player Non-penalty goals Isak 19 Wissa 19 Haaland 19 Wood 17 Cunha 15

Part of Cunha's appeal, indeed, is his ability to find the net from a variety of situations. His tally of five goals from outside the box was more than any other player in the top flight.

Bonus points magnet

It wasn't just Cunha's FPL points that were impressive in 2024/25; his underlying numbers were, too.

The Brazilian's capacity to shoot from anywhere on the pitch really boosted his goal attempts total, while a role at set-pieces inflated his chance creation statistics.

Cunha attacking stats comparison, 24/25

Statistic Total PL rank* Shots 110 1st Chances created 57 1st

*Among forwards

As key passes and shots on target are well rewarded on the Bonus Points System (BPS), it should be no surprise that Cunha's total of 41 bonus points was the most among FPL forwards.

No Europe should mean assured minutes

There'll be no European football for Man Utd next season.

While that's a blow to the Red Devils in general, it should boost Cunha's FPL appeal.

With no midweek distractions, there'll be fewer minutes concerns surrounding United's key players. Amorim rotated his squad in the Premier League towards the end of last season, with the primary focus switching to the latter stages of the UEFA Europa League.

A record-breaking nine English clubs have qualified for European competition in 2025/26, so players from United's squad shouldn't be the rotation risks that others may be elsewhere.

A possible position change?

The icing on the cake would be Cunha being reclassified as a midfielder in FPL.

Cunha spent very little of 2024/25 as a centre-forward, with the majority of his appearances coming as an attacking midfielder or winger.

That could lead to him being listed as a midfielder in 2025/26 Fantasy, meaning he'll be eligible for extra points for goals and clean sheets.

But even if that fails to materialise, Fantasy managers may find Cunha hard to resist come Gameweek 1.

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