Manchester United Draw 2-2 with Everton: Why Has Cunha’s €70 Million Valuation Collapsed?

Manchester United were dominant for most of the match, leading in possession and the number of attacking chances created. They held a 1-0 lead for a long period and, in theory, could have managed the game steadily to turn it into three points. But football can be frustrating, and a lead can disappear in an instant.

However, behind Manchester United's 2-2 draw, it was not really a problem with the whole team. The team's overall running, defensive positioning, and tactical execution did not fail, but one player alone was in such poor form that it was difficult to watch.

That player was Cunha, the highly anticipated €70 million striker. Starting for 70 minutes, he delivered a performance that left many shaking their heads and became arguably the biggest weakness in the team's attack.

In his 70 minutes on the pitch, he had 42 touches, which was not a high number by itself. More concerning was that he made 11 possession losses. In other words, he lost the ball roughly once every four touches. His repeated basic errors disrupted United's attacking rhythm and damaged the midfield passing structure.

His attacking contribution was even more concerning. He had two shots in the match, both off target, with zero shots on target. As a striker, he failed to trouble the goalkeeper. The opposing defenders felt little pressure from him, and his presence inside the box was very limited, making it seem as if Manchester United were playing with one fewer player.

He also struggled completely in aerial duels. Holding up the ball with his back to goal, acting as a focal point, and pulling defenders out of position are basic striker skills, but Cunha failed to deliver them. The opposing center-backs had the upper hand, and United's tactic of using long balls toward the striker became ineffective.

Watching Cunha's performance on the pitch reminded the writer of former United player Martial. The two are described as having similarities: disappearing in difficult matches, inconsistent form, low involvement in games, and a mismatch between high wages and limited output. They are players who leave fans with mixed emotions.

After three matches of the new season, Cunha has yet to score. The €70 million transfer fee has been followed by performances that have become increasingly disappointing. Growing criticism from fans is therefore understandable, according to the article.

Interestingly, substitute Sesko and Cunha had completely different styles of impact. The young player was active in his movement, made intelligent runs, and showed strong finishing efficiency after coming on. In the 88th minute, he scored a key goal to level the match, achieving more in a few minutes than Cunha did in 70 minutes, according to the article.

Sesko's performance showed that he was not playing because of reputation, but because of ability and current form. His on-field comparison with Cunha was extremely clear, and the difference was immediately visible.

Cunha's current competitive form is lacking, his match mentality is also questioned, and his tactical fit has become a concern. With all three issues combined, the article argues that saying he currently does not deserve a starting place would not be an exaggeration.

For Manchester United manager Carrick, it is time to make a decision. If substitutes are in good form and highly efficient, why not give them more opportunities? Continuing to start Cunha despite this would be an overly difficult choice, according to the article.

Football waits for no one. With only three rounds of the new season played, Manchester United have already fallen behind. If problems in key positions are not resolved soon, the consequences could be significant. Fans pay for tickets to watch wins, not frustration.

The article hopes Carrick can make adjustments quickly. The league has only just started, so there is still time to correct mistakes. If changes are delayed further, the outlook for the new season could become worrying.

Cunha's performance serves as a reminder for all expensive signings: money can be spent, but ability must also be shown. Otherwise, fans' patience and expectations have limits.