Cunha Stars in Brazil's Croatia Rout as Man Utd Eye Free-Agent Gem Wilson
Matheus Cunha shone in Brazil's 3-1 friendly win over Croatia, earning praise from Flamengo icon Junior, as he eyes a World Cup spot. Manchester United, buoyed by PL signings like Cunha, are tracking Fulham's free-agent star Harry Wilson amid midfield and defence targets. France top FIFA rankings while Italy's FIGC chief resigns post-qualification heartbreak.
Cunha's Brazil Brilliance and Man Utd's Savvy PL Hunt
Picture this: Brazil cruising to a 3-1 friendly win over Croatia in Orlando, with Matheus Cunha pulling strings up top. The Manchester United forward kicked off the opener, teeing up Vinícius Junior to square for Danilo Santos to tap in. Carlo Ancelotti's giving him starts left, right, and centre – France and now the Croats – and the lad's basically got his World Cup ticket stamped.
Flamengo legend Junior, another Paraíba boy from João Pessoa like Cunha, couldn't resist the praise. He posted a snap with the striker, wishing him luck and nudging him to channel Mazinho – that 1994 World Cup winner from nearby Santa Rita – and haul the trophy home. As OffsAIde reports via OneFootball, it's hometown hero vibes all round.
From Seleção Spotlight to Old Trafford Ambitions
Cunha's stock is skyrocketing, and no wonder Man Utd splashed on him last summer alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. Their attack was a joke before – blunt as a defender's elbow. Now? It's firing on all cylinders, thanks to these Premier League-proven gems.
INEOS get it: stick to PL talent, lads. Midfield targets like Elliott Anderson and Sandro Tonali, backline beasts Murillo, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven, plus left-flanker Ilman Ndiaye. But the cheeky freebie on their radar? Fulham's Harry Wilson, 29 and finally cooking.
The Welsh wizard's bagged 11 goals and 7 assists this term, movement sharp as a tack, decisions pure class. Teamtalk via The Peoples Person spills that Spurs, Villa, Leeds, Sunderland, even Liverpool (fancy a homecoming?) are sniffing around. But United are lurking, ready to pounce on his expiring deal. Perfect squad depth if those big winger chases fizzle.
Quick Hits: Rankings Shuffle and Italian Drama
Elsewhere, France have nicked top spot in FIFA rankings from Spain, unbeaten since that Nations League semi slip. Gabriele Gravina's quit as FIGC President after Italy's third straight World Cup no-show – ouch.
Brazil wrap prep with Panama at Maracanã on 31 May, Egypt on 6 June, then Group C Stateside against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Ancelotti names the squad 18 May. Cunha's in, no doubt – could be United's secret weapon turning heads globally.
Wilson to Old Trafford? Imagine him linking with Cunha, shipping in those crosses. Budget's midfield-heavy, so a freebie winger's smart business. United fans, crack open a pint – summer's shaping up tasty.