Matheus Cunha Takes Manchester United’s Iconic Number 10 Shirt From Marcus Rashford .
Manchester United have confirmed that their new signing, Matheus Cunha, will wear the prestigious number 10 shirt for the upcoming 2025/26 season, a decision that signals the end of Marcus Rashford’s tenure at Old Trafford. The club informed Rashford’s representatives in advance of the move, which sees the £62.5m arrival from Wolves inherit the iconic jersey previously worn by club legends such as Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Bobby Charlton.
Rashford, 27, has been a significant figure at Manchester United since breaking through as an academy graduate, but his future with the club has been uncertain following a loan spell at Aston Villa in the second half of the 2024/25 season. Reports indicate that the England international has expressed a desire to leave, with Barcelona emerging as his preferred destination. The forward has openly spoken about his ambition to play alongside Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and recent developments have boosted his hopes of securing a move to the Catalan giants.
The decision to hand Cunha the number 10 shirt underscores United’s intent to move forward without Rashford, who has worn the jersey since the 2018/19 season. Manager Ruben Amorim, who has been vocal about his vision for the squad, reportedly struggled to align Rashford’s approach with his tactical philosophy, citing differences in training and playing style. Alongside Rashford, four other players—Alejandro Garnacho consequential, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia—have also been granted extra time to explore potential moves away from the club, as United look to rebuild following a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Cunha, who scored 17 goals in the Premier League for Wolves last term, is expected to play a pivotal role in Amorim’s attacking setup. The 26-year-old Brazilian’s acquisition for £62.5m is part of United’s efforts to bolster their forward line, with the club also linked with moves for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Rashford’s potential move to Barcelona has gained traction after the La Liga club missed out on Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, who recently signed a new contract. Sources suggest that Barcelona are considering a loan deal for Rashford, though United are holding out for a £40m permanent transfer. Bayern Munich have also been mentioned as potential suitors, but Rashford’s preference remains a switch to the Nou Camp, where he hopes to reignite his career and secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
As Manchester United prepare for the new season, the reassignment of the number 10 shirt to Cunha marks a significant shift, drawing a line under Rashford’s time at the club. With pre-season training set to begin, the focus now turns to how United’s new-look squad will take shape under Amorim’s leadership, while Rashford awaits a potential call from Barcelona to fulfil his dream move.