Cunha silences United critics by pointing to third-place finish: 'Imagine if we improve earlier'

Matheus Cunha has called on Manchester United’s doubters to look at last season’s third-place Premier League finish as proof the club can turn around a stuttering start to the current campaign.

United have collected just five points from their opening five Premier League fixtures against Hull City, Ipswich Town, Everton, Manchester City and Fulham — equalling their worst return after five games in the Premier League era, last matched at the start of Louis van Gaal’s debut season in 2014/15. The most recent setback came at Craven Cottage, where United trailed 1-0 to a Fulham side that had begun the afternoon bottom of the table before Cunha’s deflected effort in the 89th minute salvaged a draw.

Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, the Brazilian forward drew a direct parallel with last season, when United also endured a difficult opening stretch before recovering under manager Michael Carrick to secure a Champions League place.

“Last season was my first season here, and then maybe it was more crazy than this one,” Cunha said. “There was a lot of noise around us, a season without Champions League, and now we’re in. Maybe people were saying ‘Oh, United will go to the Championship’ or something like this. And then at the end of the day, we finished third, you know?”

Cunha acknowledged that the key difference this time must be the timing of that improvement. “Last season we improved later, and then we finished third. So imagine if we improve earlier this season — something good can come,” he said, adding that belief within the squad remains strong despite the external pressure.

The international break has arrived at a frustrating moment for Cunha personally. “For me it’s hard, to be honest — I’m so anxious to play the next one,” he admitted. “When you don’t win, you feel this kind of feeling to just play the next one. But maybe it’s the moment to be calm, to put the ideas in the right way, to come back.”

Carrick retains the full backing of the United board, but the club will need a marked improvement in results when Premier League football resumes after the international break. United’s Champions League campaign has at least begun positively, with a win in their opening group fixture providing a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult early stretch.