Cunha and the No.10 Shirt: Truth vs Rumor Amid Rashford Exit
The No. 10 shirt at Manchester United carries immense historical weight — previously worn by club legends like Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
So when newly signed forward Matheus Cunha was officially confirmed as the next player to wear it, the football world naturally took notice.
But what’s made the headlines go viral isn’t just the number change — it’s a controversial quote making the rounds online, supposedly aimed at Marcus Rashford, the shirt’s previous owner.
Online reports and social media reactions suggest Cunha publicly stated, “He had the hype, I have the standards,” and “I respect Rashford, but the shirt needs someone who shows up every week.”
These strong comments, widely circulated, have triggered a wave of reactions — with some fans supporting Cunha’s boldness, while others accuse him of disrespecting a player who has long been a symbol of Manchester United’s modern identity.
But here’s the truth: there is no credible or verified evidence that Matheus Cunha ever made these remarks.
Reputable outlets such as ESPN, TalkSport, The Sun, Goal.com, and OneFootball have all confirmed the shirt number change and covered Cunha’s arrival — but none have reported any disrespectful quotes directed at Rashford.
In fact, in Cunha’s first interviews as a United player, he went out of his way to show respect for the shirt and those who’ve worn it before.
He mentioned Rashford specifically, acknowledging the England international’s legacy. He even swapped shirts with Rashford prior to the announcement, which was interpreted by many fans as a symbolic and respectful gesture.
Cunha also paid homage to United greats who previously wore the No.10, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with the number rather than trying to outshine any predecessor.
Meanwhile, the situation with Marcus Rashford appears to be more complex than a simple shirt handover.
According to TalkSport, Rashford is among five players allowed to miss early pre-season training, as the club has reportedly given them permission to explore transfer options.
This suggests that the No.10 vacancy came as part of a broader strategy involving Rashford’s potential departure, rather than a sudden or personal replacement by Cunha.
While fans continue to debate the future of United’s frontline, what’s clear is that the current controversy over Cunha’s alleged remarks is unfounded.
The strong words attributed to him are not reflected in any verified interviews, and appear to be social media fabrications designed to stir tension.
What we can confirm is this: Cunha has been handed one of the most iconic shirts in world football and will be under immense pressure to live up to its legacy.
Rashford, on the other hand, may be on the move, marking the end of an era and the start of a new one at Old Trafford.
In short, Matheus Cunha has made a statement — not with his words, but with the number on his back.
Whether he rises to meet the expectations remains to be seen, but the media storm surrounding him is built more on fiction than fact.
