Tevez 2.0: Man Utd “maverick” is looking like a bigger talent than Semenyo
The bombshell news broke earlier this week that Premier League sensation, Antoine Semenyo, is likely to be on the move next month. Unfortunately for those at Manchester United, however, the Ghanaian looks to be heading to the Etihad.
Yes, despite suggestions that United had been one of the frontrunners for the 25-year-old’s signature, it would appear that ex-Bristol City man has been swayed by the pull of Pep Guardiola and co, with a £65m deal now set to be struck.
Such developments come at a time when the Red Devils have been left looking desperately short on attacking options, a fact that was no more apparent than in Friday’s narrow win over Newcastle United.
With Ruben Amorim chopping and changing his side in the dying embers, the hosts were left with a forward line that contained Patrick Dorgu on one flank, and Diogo Dalot as the highest point on the opposite side, with the absence of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo keenly felt in that hard-fought encounter.
That being said, last season’s losing Europa League finalists still managed to get the job done against the Magpies, with there certainly reason for positivity among the Old Trafford faithful.
Man Utd's best performers vs Newcastle
It would be remiss to begin this section without mentioning that man Dorgu, with the 21-year-old Dane looking much improved in his new role down the right flank in that promising first-half.
Having scored three of his five Lecce goals while operating off the right, as per Transfermarkt, the youngster showcased why that perhaps should be his permanent home in a United shirt, rifling in his first goal for the club in stunning fashion against Eddie Howe’s side.
The January arrival also saw another effort denied by the sprawling Aaron Ramsdale, while also picking out Benjamin Sesko with a delightful reverse pass early on, only for the Slovenian striker to squander the opening.
Dorgu was then the star attraction on a night all about Amorim’s young guns, with fellow 2025 signing, Ayden Heaven, also putting in a commanding display at the heart of the backline, even amid so much change around him.
Signed for just £1m, the 19-year-old continues to make that deal look such a coup, having won 100% of his duels on the night, as per Sofascore, while boasting a 94% pass accuracy rate.
Like the returning Lisandro Martinez alongside him, Heaven was central to United earning all three points, with the Englishman more than seizing his chance in the absence of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
At the other end of the pitch, too, the loss of Mbeumo, Amad and captain Bruno Fernandes has allowed another leading light to emerge, with Amorim having a new attacking figurehead to hang his hat on.
Man Utd already have a bigger talent than Semenyo
With United’s absentee list worsening following Mason Mount’s withdrawal at half-time, it appeared almost inevitable that the home side would drift toward yet another defeat, having been forced to cling on amid a frantic second-half at the Theatre of Dreams.
There was encouragingly, however, a real grit and fight shown by those in red, with that will to win perhaps epitomised best by summer signing, Matheus Cunha, in his number ten berth.
Operating both centrally and off the left, the 26-year-old was so often the driving force for United in an attacking sense, having drawn a save himself from Ramsdale with an effort from the angle, while flashing a handful of attempts wide.
Yes, there is an erratic quality to his game, but time and again, the Brazilian is at the heart of the action, showcasing why journalist Samuel Luckhurst has previously described him as a “maverick” and a “workhorse” following his promising start to life in Manchester.
While club-led comparisons to Eric Cantona may be unhelpful and somewhat hyperbolic, a closer similarity may well be to fellow South American ‘maverick’, Carlos Tevez, with the Argentine having also been such a relentless presence in Sir Alex Ferguson’s feared forward line.
Operating alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the ex-West Ham United man wasn’t always the star attraction in his two-year stay at the club, although he was just as crucial to that glittering period of success, racking up 48 goals and assists in 99 games in total in all competitions.
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Cunha, in the modern day, has been somewhat overshadowed himself by the goalscoring form of both Mbeumo and Fernandes, but as was evident on Friday evening, he can be equally as instrumental, registering one key pass and successfully completing four of his six attempted dribbles.
Cunha vs Newcastle
Stat
Record
Minutes
90
Touches
52
Pass accuracy
81%
Shots
3
Key passes
1
Dribbles
4/6
Total duels won
5/15
Recoveries
3
Interceptions
3
Stats via Sofascore
While Semenyo might have been earmarked as another option off that left flank, with Cunha repurposed more centrally, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers hero showcased why he should be a nailed-on starter in his preferred role, having begun to pick up where he left off at Molineux.
Only three goals have come his way in a United shirt, although the £62.5m addition did record 15 league goals last term, after hitting 12 the year before that. For comparison, Semenyo scored just 11 and eight goals, respectively, across the last two top-flight campaigns.
The Bournemouth star’s stock is soaring, but it is Cunha’s ceiling that appears to be even higher.
At a time of such chaos again under Amorim, United’s new Tevez will have to shoulder much of the attacking burden. There’s no denying he’ll relish that.
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