Matheus Cunha has Man United fans licking their lips as irrepressible Red Devils’ target inspires Wolves to sixth straight win with triumph over Leicester

Manchester United fans will be licking their lips if they get this version of Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford next season.

The Brazil star, strongly linked with a £62milion summer move to join Ruben Amorim, irrepressible with a goal and two assists at Molineux as Wolves chalked up their sixth consecutive win – their best run since 1970.

When Vitor Pereira substituted him with a couple of minutes left, there wasn’t a wild standing ovation – too many Wolves fans sense he wants to leave – but there was warm applause as a sign of respect for his performance.

He certainly put Jamie Vardy in the shade. In his first appearance since announcing he’s leaving Leicester at the end of the season, he fed off scraps and missed a penalty with the only clear opportunity he had.

Cunha, who has served two suspensions this season for separate scuffles, was at his diplomatic best afterwards, even about his future.

‘We are very committed to this club, everyone, and want to show the fans,’ he said.

Outgoing Leicester legend Jamie Vardy missed from the penalty spot for the Foxes

It marks a 24th defeat of the season for Leicester, whose relegation back to the Championship was confirmed last weekend

‘Right now, it is easy to talk about the coach (Vitor Pereira). He came here to help us. When you show these kind of things on the pitch, he has his hand in it.

‘I always say that I am always happy to play for this team. Sometimes my emotion is too much because I love to be here.’

Cunha had already gone close on three occasions before his luck changed after 33 minutes. He raced into the penalty area after exchanging passes with Ait-Nouri and when the wing-back crossed low, the forward finished first-time for his 17th goal of the season.

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy lost Bobby DeCordova-Reid late in the first half and changed three more during the interval but never looked like stopping a 17th defeat in 19 games.

The second goal finally after 56 minutes with Cunha playing a slide-rule pass to Jacob Strand Larsen who finished crisply across Mads Hermansen for his sixth goal in six games.

Leicester’s brief hopes of a revival were thwarted when Vardy fell over Jose Sa but then saw his low penalty stopped by the goalkeeper diving to his right.

And the final nail in the coffin was hammered late on when Cunha again set up substitute Rodrigo Gomes in the closing minutes.

Cunha was once again influential in an impressive Wolves performance

It marks a sixth win in a row for Vitor Pereira’s side – with the Portuguese manager ensuring his side finish the campaign strongly