Man Utd new boy Matheus Cunha makes vow after being given iconic shirt number

Matheus Cunha says he is relishing the chance to live up to the standards set by former Manchester United players who wore the No.10 shirt.

Cunha, who joined United from Wolves for £62.5million, has been handed the iconic number, which was worn by Marcus Rashford last season. Previous wearers of the No.10 shirt at United include Denis Law, Teddy Sheringham, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Brazil forward Cunha, 26, said it was a “privilege” to wear the shirt and hopes it can inspire him to match the exploits of his illustrious predecessors at United.

“I can mention many players that used this shirt.” said Cunha. It's so easy for me.

“Of course, I think the one that I always think about when I see this number in this shirt for me was Rooney. He was someone that I grew up to watch him play and I have watched many games now.

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“Then I swapped shirts with Marcus after a game. I have his shirt in my home. But, of course, we know many players used this shirt – van Nistelrooy and Ibrahimovic.

“It's the dream not only to use the shirt, but with all the history they have around the number, it's something beautiful that I have the privilege to do it.

“With every single number, it will be a pleasure to wear the shirt. But, yeah, with this one it’s something different. Then, of course, the responsibility comes.”

Cunha wore No.10 at Wolves last season, scoring a career-best 15 Premier League goals, and the 26-year-old is confident he can take his game to another level at United. “I hope I can do everything like goals and assists, to help the team,” he added. “So this is kind of a very important point for my position.

“We were joking when I went to the locker room, we’re talking about some games, especially with Maz [Noussair Mazraoui]. I think it's always with him, my [individual] battle. But, of course, we’re talking about the games, we’re talking about the seasons and then, yeah, I think everyone was very lovely with me. It was a very warm welcome.

“Every single thing here I'm so excited to do and I look at it like a dream. Then I hope, when we start to kick the ball, it will be a little bit more calm for me to adapt and then I will feel normal on the pitch.

“But, of course, I'm so excited to maybe go and then do everything that I want to do with the shirt and, of course, to go to the locker room and see for the first time the shirt there - that will be something then. I hope I can manage better than I think.”

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