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Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has raised concerns about Matheus Cunha's temperament following the Brazilian's Premier League debut for the club.
Cunha, a summer signing from Wolves, featured for the entire 90 minutes against Arsenal on Sunday, beginning as a striker before retreating deeper when Benjamin Sesko entered the fray. Owen, who also played for the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle during his career, is impressed by Cunha's ability, having observed him at his previous club.
Nevertheless, doubts persist regarding other elements of his conduct on the pitch. "I think Cunha has got a little bit of magic about him. I love watching him play," Owen told AskGamblers.
"The first moment I set eyes on him for Wolves, I just thought, 'Oh wow, he's a talented player.' I really rate him, and I don't blame Manchester United for getting him. I think he's so talented.
"My only question mark is his attitude. He gets sent off a lot, he waves his arms a lot, and you've already got someone like that alongside him in Bruno Fernandes. From a talent point of view, he's absolutely there.
"And maybe being at Manchester United, being at a huge club like that, might put some manners on him.
"You can't go around grabbing people's glasses off them after a game, getting sent off, arguing with referees, and causing fights on numerous occasions like he did at Wolves.
"But when you're the outstanding player and when you've been carrying the club, when all that pressure's on you and all those different things, then you can understand it a bit. When you go to Manchester United, you're in the public glare even more, and you need to behave that way."
Owen reckoned Cunha could still flourish at United, provided he addresses certain behavioral issues.
The forward served two bans during the previous campaign - one following a clash with an Ipswich staff member and another after receiving his marching orders against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
He was originally handed a three-match suspension for lashing out at Milos Kerkez in the Bournemouth encounter.
However, this was subsequently increased by an additional fixture, adding to the two-game prohibition he had already completed for the Ipswich episode.
Cunha, who found the net 15 times in the league for Wolves last term, failed to score for United during preseason but is embracing his fresh opportunity at Old Trafford.
"I really think the pressure at this club is a privilege," the former Atletico Madrid frontman said in July.
"It's one of the biggest clubs in the world, and when Ruben came to me and showed me the project, I felt like it's a challenge I want to do for my career. United is a club I needed to be at, and like I say, it's a big privilege."
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