After Manchester United's 0-2 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, coach Ruben Amorim's actions at Molineux Stadium sparked transfer rumors. The 39-year-old Portuguese coach entered the field and embraced Matheus Cunha, the opposing team's core player who had one assist and one goal in the match, playing the role of a nemesis for the Red Devils.
United's failure to neutralize Cunha was a key reason for their defeat; he scored directly from a corner kick to open the scoring and assisted Hwang Hee-chan in stoppage time to secure the win. Interestingly, Cunha has long been rumored as a potential target for United, with the 25-year-old former Atletico Madrid player previously linked with a move to Old Trafford.
If Cunha were to transfer to United, he could play as a center forward or one of the two number 10 positions in Amorim's 3-4-3 formation, potentially replacing Bruno Fernandes, who has faced criticism over the past two years. The 30-year-old B Fee renewed his contract this summer for a weekly salary of 300,000 pounds, only to fall victim to the curse of United stars whose performance declines after a pay raise.
In addition to Cunha, United has also been linked with Barcelona's Dani Olmo this week, who is facing registration issues in the new year. If Barcelona cannot register him, Olmo could be available for a free transfer. His agent, Andy Bara, is reportedly in Manchester and watched the City vs Everton game. Should this situation occur, United would consider signing Olmo, but there is one problem: the team's current poor form means the Spanish international seems to have no reason to choose to join.
During the Wolves match, B Fee received a red card after accumulating two yellow cards, one of which was for fouling Cunha. This expulsion will result in a suspension for B Fee. According to Premier League rules, a player only needs to serve a one-match ban for accumulating two yellow cards leading to a red card. However, if it is the second red card of the season, an additional match is added to the suspension.
Fortunately, although B Fee was sent off in the 0-3 loss to Tottenham in September, United successfully appealed his straight red card for tackling James Maddison, meaning that decision has been overturned. Therefore, the FA will only impose a one-match ban for B Fee's latest red card.
B Fee will miss the next Monday's home match against Newcastle United in the Premier League but can return for the second leg of the double-header against Liverpool at Anfield in January. United lost the first leg 0-3 at home under then-manager Ten Hag. Currently, Liverpool tops the Premier League table, seven points ahead with a game in hand. Whether B Fee can return to the starting lineup for that match remains to be seen, as his unnecessary foul and subsequent red card clearly did not please Amorim, who did not console him upon his exit.
Since taking over at United, Amorim has been decisive in handling players, with Rashford benched for four consecutive games. Left-back Tyrell Malacia was also left out of the squad for the Wolves match. The 25-year-old Dutch left-back started the previous game against Bournemouth but conceded a free-kick that led to the opponent's opening goal, resulting in his substitution at halftime and exclusion from the squad for this match.
Club sources confirm that Malacia's absence from the Wolves game was due to tactical choices, not injury. Since returning from a 550-day knee injury layoff, Amorim has substituted Malacia at halftime in three of his four starts. It is widely believed that Malacia has no future at United, and the club plans to bring in a new left-back next year.
Since Amorim took charge of United, he has used different lineups in every match, making 44 changes across eight different formations. The change of only two starters for the Wolves match is the least amount of change he has made so far.