£183.5m triple transfer move shows scale of the task facing Manchester United despite £62.5m signing

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Manchester United have made an excellent start to the transfer window by signing Wolves star Matheus Cunha.

United announced on Sunday afternoon that they had reached an agreement to sign the Brazilian international and the move is now subject to visa and registration.

The 26-year-old scored 17 goals for Wolves in the 2024/25 season and that was enough to convince United to trigger his £62.5million release clause.

Ruben Amorim made Cunha his number one attacking midfield target and he will slot into his strongest United starting XI in one of the two attacking midfield roles in his 3-4-2-1 formation.

It is a statement from United to sign a player of Cunha's ability on the first day of the summer transfer window and it shows they mean business as they attempt to build back up towards competing at the top end of the Premier League table.

After a season where United finishing 15th in the Premier League has left them facing up to the sobering reality of no European football next season, everyone around the club needed a lift and something to believe in as Amorim prepares for his first summer in charge at United.

Cunha's arrival will certainly do that but United simply have to ensure this is the first of a number of quality signings this summer and not where their transfer window peaks.

Nobody of sane mind is suggesting United can compete for the Premier League title next season but bridging the gap between themselves and reigning champions Liverpool has to be the long term aim.

No United fan needs reminding that Liverpool finished on double the amount of points United earned this season, with 42 points separating the two sides.

Arne Slot's side have also moved quickly in the transfer market and announced the arrival of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong in a £29.5million deal to plug the gap left by Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid.

Liverpool have also submitted a £109million bid for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz in a bid to beat off Bayern Munich for his signature.

They have also opened talks over the signing of Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with the Cherries valuing the Hungarian international at around £45million.

If Liverpool secure all three signings that would represent a £183.5million improvement on a squad that just won the Premier League by 10 points.

As we previously said, challenging for the Premier League title shouldn't be on United's agenda next season. But competing for the European places should be and the urgency with which the champions are moving in the transfer market should serve as a warning for their Premier League rivals.

United need at least a new midfielder, a new forward, a new goalkeeper and potentially another attacking midfielder should one, or both, of Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes leave the club this summer.

While Cunha is an excellent signing, his arrival at Old Trafford has to be the first of many.

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