Wolves head into the new campaign without one of last season’s most effective attacking duos, as Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United ended his prolific partnership with Jorgen Strand Larsen. The pair combined for 29 league goals in 2023/24, but the Norwegian striker is now adjusting to life without his former teammate.
Strand Larsen has joined Wolves permanently and will be central to Vitor Pereira’s plans, with summer arrivals Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez expected to ease the loss of Cunha. However, the 24-year-old believes an unexpected figure already at the club could step into that role.
Speaking after the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, Strand Larsen revealed he sees promise in linking up with Marshall Munetsi. Traditionally a central or defensive midfielder, the Zimbabwe international has been used much further forward since Pereira’s arrival, spending only 92 minutes in his natural position.
Discussing the dynamic, Strand Larsen told the Express and Star:
“He (Munetsi) can be the target man up top and I can also be kind of a playmaker, sometimes drop into different positions. I think we have a good relationship.”
While Munetsi’s work rate is unquestionable, his record in front of goal is modest just two goals and one assist in 17 appearances for Wolves. That raises doubts about whether he can be a long-term solution in attack.
For now, though, Munetsi’s physicality and ability to occupy defenders could give Strand Larsen the freedom to roam and create. Longer term, Pereira may still need to find a more natural goalscorer to rebuild the kind of strike partnership Wolves lost with Cunha’s departure.
