Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to rest forward Matheus Cunha for the final three matches of the Premier League season to protect his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. According to the Mirror, the 27-year-old selection will be sidelined for the remaining fixtures now that United have mathematically secured Champions League qualification. This developmental shift coincides with reports from World Soccer Talk that a €90 million (£77 million) Saudi Pro League bid for Barcelona’s Raphinha could provide the Catalan club with the liquidity needed to trigger Marcus Rashford’s €30 million (£26 million) permanent transfer option.
Cunha’s immediate impact and the Brazil arrangement
Since joining United from Wolves in the summer of 2025 for £62.5 million, Cunha has established himself as a central figure under Michael Carrick, recording nine goals in an industrious debut campaign. His arrival effectively displaced Marcus Rashford, who subsequently joined Barcelona on loan. Speaking on his progress, Cunha told the Mirror: "I feel like football is representing life... we need to wait for the good moments and then work so hard and I feel that it’s only the start of the journey." The decision to rest him highlights his elevated status for both club and country; with United's top-four finish confirmed following his recent goal against Liverpool, the club is prioritising his long-term availability over the league run-in.
The Raphinha domino and Rashford’s future
While Marcus Rashford has rejuvenated his form in Spain with 26 goal contributions this season, his permanent future remains tied to Barcelona’s volatile financial situation. Sky Sports reports that Barcelona had considered requesting a second season-long loan due to budget constraints, but United are expected to reject anything short of a permanent sale. The emergence of a substantial Saudi offer for Raphinha changes the landscape. If Barcelona offload the former Leeds winger for the reported €90 million, they will have the capital to meet United’s £26 million valuation for Rashford. For United, a permanent exit is the priority to remove Rashford’s estimated £365,000-a-week wages from the books and ensure compliance with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) ahead of the summer window.
Negotiations between Barcelona and Saudi representatives are expected to accelerate as the Spanish giants look to resolve their wage bill before the June transfer deadline.