Matheus Cunha is heading to Manchester United but Opta stats reveal he spent more time walking than any other Premier League player this season. 🤔🚶#MUFC #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/qrW6D4UnJQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 28, 2025
Matheus Cunha led all Premier League outfield players in walking percentage but still finished the season with 13 goals and 4 assists.
Matheus Cunha led all Premier League outfield players in walking percentage but still finished the season with 13 goals and 4 assists.
Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha spent more time walking on the pitch than any other outfield player in the Premier League this season, according to new data from Opta.
The 24-year-old Brazilian logged a walking rate of 77.6% during match play — the highest among all outfield players in the 2024–25 campaign. Only goalkeepers recorded higher rates overall, which is typical for their limited movement zones. Cunha ranked just above defenders Virgil van Dijk (76.5%) and Cristian Romero (75.5%) in walking percentage.
He also covered 25.9 kilometers at walking pace across the season, placing him sixth among outfield players for total walking distance.
Despite these numbers, Cunha remained a key contributor for Wolves, finishing the season with 13 goals and four assists. Analysts suggest his high walking rate reflects a tactical decision — conserving energy between bursts of high-intensity movement.
This style mirrors that of players like Lionel Messi, known for walking large portions of games before delivering decisive moments.
Cunha is now reportedly close to a move to Manchester United, where his unique style may add a new dimension to the Red Devils’ attack.