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Cunha and Elanga debut in pre-season matches

Cunha debuted for Manchester United while Elanga made his mark for Newcastle in a tough friendly match.

July 20, 2025 at 06:38 AM

FPL pre-season: Cunha + Elanga debuts, Isak absence explained

Debuts from Matheus Cunha and Anthony Elanga stood out amid pre-season friendly matches.

Cunha and Elanga make debuts as Newcastle suffers defeat

In a series of pre-season friendlies on Saturday, Manchester United drew 0-0 against Leeds United while Celtic won 4-0 against Newcastle United. Matheus Cunha made his debut for United, showing promise despite the team's lackluster performance. Leeds United looked solid, with new signings making an impact. In the other match, Celtic's victory reflected Newcastle's struggles, particularly given that Alexander Isak did not participate due to transfer speculation. Anthony Elanga debuted for Newcastle, managing some bright moments in an otherwise tough outing.

Key Takeaways

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Matheus Cunha demonstrated skill in his debut despite Manchester United's 0-0 draw.

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Leeds United showed potential and looked organized in their performance against United.

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Celtic's convincing win reveals Newcastle's vulnerabilities especially in defense.

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Anthony Elanga's pace offered flashes of hope for Newcastle amid a disappointing loss.

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Alexander Isak's absence is a concern for Newcastle, hinting at uncertainty in the squad.

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Pre-season matches serve as crucial tests for team strategies and player fitness.

"Of course, you can see that the connection between him and Bruno is still not there. But it is going to be a good connection."

Ruben Amorim commented on Matheus Cunha's impact during his debut for Manchester United.

"This was a test that, maybe, came a little bit too early for us."

Eddie Howe reflected on Newcastle's performance after the loss to Celtic.

"I’d never give a guarantee about anybody (staying) because I’ve been in football long enough to know I could end up looking silly."

Eddie Howe addressed transfer speculation surrounding Alexander Isak's future.

"In the second day of pre-season, I told him he is not in my plans for the upcoming season."

Daniel Farke made a statement regarding Patrick Bamford's status in the team.

The friendlies highlighted the varying levels of readiness among Premier League teams. Manchester United's reliance on new arrivals like Cunha shows their intent to improve but raises concerns about current cohesion. In contrast, Newcastle's defeat, compounded by Isak's absence, underscores the pressure they face as they aim to build a stronger squad before the season begins. With friendlies still in progress, coaches must balance performance and fitness, but every result contributes to setting the tone for the upcoming competition.

Highlights

Cunha's driving runs raised eyebrows, but will he fill the void at United?
Elanga brought pace but struggled amidst Newcastle's defensive chaos.
Celtic's 4-0 win leaves Newcastle facing tough questions for the season ahead.
The absence of Isak highlights growing tensions in Newcastle's squad.

Concerns Surrounding Newcastle's Future

Newcastle faces growing scrutiny due to transfer speculation, especially regarding Alexander Isak. This could impact team morale and performance as they head into the season.

As teams refine their squads, the stakes will only rise in the upcoming matches.

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cunha elanga newcastle football preseason football sports

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