James Montague -- April 24, 2026
The report, traced to an account fewer than six weeks old, collapsed within days as Cunha scored in a 2-0 win both managers called the story 'absolute nonsense.'
Both managers and the player's representatives issued separate, unequivocal denials of reports linking Matheus Cunha to Arsenal, after a story originating from an anonymous social media account circulated widely online before collapsing.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim addressed the reports directly. 'He is not for sale. He is not going anywhere. He is committed to this club,' Mr. Amorim said. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta separately denied the reports, and representatives for Cunha issued a statement describing the claims as 'completely fabricated.'
The original report was traced to an anonymous account created fewer than six weeks prior to publication and with fewer than 400 followers. Three senior correspondents covering both clubs found no corroboration for the story, and two Manchester United board members told staff directly that no approach had been received from Arsenal.
Cunha played 87 minutes in United's 2-0 Premier League victory on the same weekend the reports circulated, scoring and providing an assist. In a pitch-side interview following the match, Cunha said he was unaware of the origin of the transfer speculation.
The episode illustrated how unverified claims can circulate widely on social media without sourcing from established journalists or club officials. The story attracted significant online attention before the on-record denials from the managers, the player's representatives, and the absence of any corroboration from reporters covering either club brought it to an end.