15/06/2025

SPORTS 14 ON SUNDAY JUNE 15, 2025

‘We called our pitches Old Trafford’ Cunha’s childhood fantasy becomes reality

MANCHESTER UNITED’S stadium will not feel entirely unfamiliar to Matheus Cunha when the Brazilian makes his home debut for his new team next season. It is almost like he has been playing at Old Trafford for years. A day after United completed the signing

“I remember he was the No. 10 and everyone loved the skills of the player in his shirt, but he brings more. He goes to the grass (slide tackle) to take the ball, this kind of energy inside of him was a big example. “(Cristiano) Ronaldo, everyone knows, it is easy to talk about him. Ryan Giggs. Everyone. I can imagine the team, it started with (Edwin) Van der Sar in the goal, Rio Ferdinand, (Nemanja) Vidic, the defenders, Paul Scholes, wow, (Michael) Carrick. The team for me, honestly, was a big impact for my teenage years.” – Reuters

He also helped Brazil qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup on Tuesday, setting up the only goal in a decisive 1-0 win at home to Paraguay. His move to Manchester raised some eyebrows after United finished a woeful 15th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for any European football next season.

of Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, the dynamic forward said he grew up in the Brazilian beach city of Joao Pessoa dreaming of one day playing for the club. “It is hard to find a way to explain this club to me,” the 26-year-old said in an interview with United’s in house media. “My house didn’t have the channel to watch the Premier League. My cousin’s house didn’t have the channel. “Only in my grandma’s house, we can watch the Premier League, so we organised to go every weekend. And for me, it was always a bit inside of me, this club. When I play with (my cousin) in the street, on the beach, on the gravel pitch, we called these pitches ‘Old Trafford.’ Imagine. “So, wow, it’s so

But he said the club and its former stars had left a lasting impression. “It’s hard to talk about because I remember the whole squad at the time that I started to watch,” he said. “In the front, (Wayne) Rooney, wow. Someone that I think I have a lot of particulars in my game, because I always give everything.

14/06/2025 (SAT)

5980/2025

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Draw Date: 14/06/25 (Sat)

Draw No: 5927/25 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

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hard to be here now, thinking about the past – it’s very emotional for me.” C u n h a scored 15

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3,465,750.45

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P r e m i e r League goals for Wolves last season.

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RM3,023,594.90

Matheus Cunha. – REUTERSPIC

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BRIEFS

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Ibrahim Al-Qassim, secretary-general of the SFF, in a statement published on the federation’s website. Real sign Mastantuono Real Madrid have signed 17-year-old midfielder Franco Mastantuono from Argentine side River Plate on a six-year contract, the La Liga club said. The Spanish outfit had agreed to sign Mastantuono for about US$45 million (RM191m) last week and the talented teenager, who can also play on the wing, will be a Real Madrid player from Aug 14. Mastantuono had been linked to top European clubs such as Manchester United and Paris St Germain after a stun ning freekick in River Plate’s Superclasico win over Boca Juniors in April put him on the map. Mastantuono is Real’s third close-season recruit after they signed Premier League defenders Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Tudor contract renewed Juventus manager Igor Tudor’s contract has been renewed for two more years ahead of the start of their Club World Cup campaign, the Serie A club announced. Damien Comolli, the club’s new general manager, said that they had faith in the Croatian coach who was handed the reins fewer than three months ago. Tudor joined in March after the dismissal of Thiago Motta, with Juve eliminated from all cup competitions and outside Serie A’s top four. Under Tudor, they lost just one more league match, securing fourth spot to qualify for the Champions League. “Tudor has committed to our club until June 30, 2027 – with an option on 2028 – and will also lead the men’s first team in the coming seasons, starting with the first official competition to be staged in the United States, the Club World Cup,” the Turin outfit said in a statement.

RM525,561.10

Milner extends Brighton contract James Milner has agreed a one-year contract extension with Brighton & Hove Albion, the south-coast club said, as the 39-year-old eyes the all-time record for appearances in the Premier League. Milner, who made his Premier League bow as a 16-year-old for Leeds United in 2002, was restricted to just four league appearances in the 2024-25 campaign due to an injury in August, taking his overall tally to 638 Premier League games. But Milner, who will celebrate his 40th birthday in January, now has the chance to overhaul Gareth Barry’s record of 653 Premier League games. “I’m really pleased we will have James with us again this season,” head coach Fabian Huerzeler said in a state ment. “Last season he wasn’t able to help the team on the pitch as much as he would have liked, but around the squad his experience is invaluable, especially for the younger players. He’s a great guy to have in our environment, who is always there for me and the team. I’m looking forward to working with him again.” HK to host Saudi Super Cup This year’s Saudi Super Cup will be held in Hong Kong, the Saudi Football Federation. The tournament, which will run from Aug 19-23, will feature Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Matches are set to take place at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium, the home of the Hong Kong national team, which was built in 1953 and renovated in 1994. “This represents a qualitative shift for the tournament, which has achieved remarkable success in its previous editions, making it one of the most prominent local competitions attracting interest for hosting,” said

RM305,833.30

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RM110,000.00

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47,480,784.04

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13,374,429.56

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Happy Father's Day!

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