Butt sympathises with Cunha's bench role despite stunning Arsenal winner

Nicky Butt has suggested he feels for Matheus Cunha's predicament after the Manchester United substitute struck gold against Arsenal on Sunday, securing a 3-2 triumph at the Emirates despite being confined to the bench.

United's comeback from an early deficit saw them edge ahead 2-1, only for Mikel Merino to restore parity with six minutes remaining. The drama wasn't finished, though—Cunha emerged from the dugout to settle matters three minutes later, cutting inside before dispatching a clinical finish past David Raya.

The Brazilian, who arrived from Wolves for £62.5m during the summer window, has now recorded five goals and two assists across 20 Premier League outings this term. Yet his impact from the bench appears to be becoming his defining role, much to the frustration of a player of his calibre.

Cunha was similarly deployed as a substitute in the previous week's encounter with Manchester City, and both Butt and Paul Scholes believe the 24-year-old will harbour reservations about his standing. Patrick Dorgu's injury troubles may force him into the starting XI for the Fulham clash, though that remains uncertain.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes highlighted Dorgu's defensive contributions while explaining the interim manager Michael Carrick's tactical thinking. "He was brought in as a wing-back because that was Amorim's system," Scholes noted, "but going back to when we were playing, wide players actually would help your full-back, and United have started doing that. Against Saka, who is their best attacker by a million miles, it was like playing against two left-backs at times because he was working back, but he's scoring goals as well."

Scholes continued: "I don't see him there as a left winger full-time. Michael's obviously seen something in him that he likes because he's left Cunha out for him, and what a player he is."

Butt then interjected with his observation: "Cunha's giving you an option off the bench and I do feel a bit sorry."

Scholes was quick to respond: "He won't be happy with that, no chance, he won't be happy with that sentence."

Butt expanded on his reasoning, drawing parallels to previous management structures. "If you look when Darren Fletcher was in charge and he's looking at his bench, he's got no one to come on. You've got the young lads which is okay, they're good players but when it's going bad you need proper pros in that team who can come on the pitch, stick their chest out and go against people."

He then outlined the uncomfortable reality facing Cunha. "He might find himself in a bad position now, thinking, 'I'm a really good sub to bring on, I carry the ball up the pitch, I get the fouls, kill the clock when we're winning and I can score goals'—he could end up being a super sub."

Butt also pointed to Yoane Mbeumo's form as another factor potentially keeping Cunha sidelined. "I think Mbeumo has been brilliant as a nine. I think he's done that job really, really well. He's a handful, he's powerful, he's quick, so you're thinking Cunha might see himself on the bench for a good few weeks now."