Matheus Cunha has said the UEFA Champions League loses its spark without Manchester United, as the club sealed qualification for next season’s tournament.
The forward made the remark after scoring in United’s dramatic 3–2 win over Liverpool F.C. at Old Trafford, a result that confirmed their return to Europe’s elite competition with matches to spare.
Reflecting on the achievement, Cunha expressed both pride and emotion, insisting that Manchester United belongs on the biggest stage in European football.
“The Champions League without this club is not the same competition, and this club without Champions League is not the same club,” he said.
While celebrating the milestone, Cunha stressed that qualification should not be the team’s ultimate ambition, but rather a stepping stone toward greater success.
“It’s not only about qualifying for the Champions League. We need to fight for titles. This is just the first step,” he added.
United’s resurgence has come under interim manager Michael Carrick, whose leadership has guided the team through an impressive run of form. Cunha praised his influence, describing it as key to the club’s turnaround.
“It’s one of the biggest privileges I have to play at this club,” the Brazilian forward said.
Cunha has played a vital role in United’s campaign, delivering crucial goals in key fixtures, including matches against top sides, as the team pushed back into contention among Europe’s elite.
With the season nearing its conclusion, he maintained that the squad must build on its progress and aim even higher in the coming campaign.
“We can come back much stronger next season,” he said, reflecting growing confidence within the team.
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