Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil has described Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha as a great guy who is perhaps misunderstood. O'Neil's comments come ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford, where he will face a player he coached at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Ipswich Star reported O'Neil's reflections on Cunha's character and a notable incident from December 2024.
What happened in the 2024 match?
A mass brawl erupted during a Championship match between Wolves and Ipswich Town at Molineux in December 2024. During the fracas, Matheus Cunha broke the glasses of an Ipswich security guard named Chris. Cunha, who was 23 at the time, later apologised and paid for a replacement pair. The guard, Chris, has since forgiven both Cunha and O'Neil, who was managing Wolves that day. Chris remains a valued employee at Ipswich, helping staff navigate the club's new training ground and stadium.
How does O'Neil view Cunha now?
Gary O'Neil worked extensively with the Brazilian attacker during their time together at Wolves. He insists the player's public image does not match his true nature. "He's not that volatile. He's a great guy," O'Neil said. He added, "He's maybe misunderstood. I wouldn't describe him as volatile at all." O'Neil praised Cunha's technical ability but noted his tactical understanding required significant work during their sessions. He believes the groundwork laid at Wolves directly contributed to Cunha's high-profile move to Manchester United. The two still stay in contact, though O'Neil joked about wanting to beat him and send a teasing text afterwards.
What is the context for Ipswich's season?
Ipswich Town head to Manchester United sitting 8th in the Premier League with 3 points from their opening game. They have scored 2 goals and conceded 1, giving them a positive goal difference early in the campaign. This leaves them 3 points behind the early leaders, Manchester City. After the trip to Old Trafford, attention will quickly turn to a home fixture against Liverpool on 4 September. Fans can track the team's progress on the official standings and fixtures pages.
What about Cunha's disciplinary record?
A few months after the Molineux incident, Matheus Cunha was banned for headbutting Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez during an FA Cup clash. This separate episode added to a perception of volatility that O'Neil is keen to challenge. The Ipswich manager's focus, however, is firmly on his current squad as they prepare for a demanding run of games. He will rely on the support of long-serving staff like Chris as the team adapts to life back in the top flight.
Ipswich's immediate challenge is a daunting away fixture at one of England's most famous grounds. The match represents an early test of their Premier League credentials following a winning start. O'Neil's inside knowledge of one of United's key attackers could provide a slight edge in preparation. The team's current form and squad details are always available for supporters on the club's squad page.
