Matheus Cunha, Altay Bayindir and Harry Maguire: Three Manchester United Players Face Legal Action Over Separate Speeding Offences

Three Manchester United first-team players — Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, and England defender Harry Maguire — have each been implicated in separate speeding incidents on roads in Greater Manchester, according to Sky News. The offences reportedly took place on routes frequently used by United players commuting between Old Trafford and their residences in Cheshire.

Of the three cases, Maguire’s has been resolved. The England centre-back was recorded driving his £130,000 Range Rover at 37mph in a 30mph zone in Altrincham on December 28, 2025. He subsequently pleaded guilty in writing and was fined £1,000, received three penalty points on his licence, and was ordered to cover court costs along with a victim surcharge. Notably, Maguire was excluded from Thomas Tuchel‘s final World Cup squad, meaning the off-field matter carries no direct implications for international duty. This is not Maguire’s first brush with driving law — he previously received a 56-day driving ban in January 2025 following a separate speeding conviction.

Bayindir’s case has also been concluded. The Turkish international goalkeeper was caught travelling at 41mph in a 30mph zone on Hale Road in Greater Manchester and was subsequently fined and handed penalty points. Bayindir is currently preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing his place in Turkey’s national squad, though the resolved nature of his case means it is unlikely to affect his participation in the tournament.

Cunha’s situation is considerably more complex. The Brazilian forward has been charged not only with speeding but also with allegedly failing to respond to police requests to identify the driver of a Mercedes vehicle accused of exceeding the speed limit on the same stretch of road. Unlike his two teammates, Cunha has yet to enter a plea and is expected to appear before a court at a later date. Sources suggest that a driving disqualification could be considered depending on the outcome of proceedings — a development that arrives at a sensitive moment, given Cunha’s selection in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

All three cases were processed through the single justice procedure, a legal mechanism commonly used in England and Wales for lower-level motoring offences. Under this process, defendants are not required to attend court in person during the initial stages, allowing matters to be handled administratively where a guilty plea is entered in writing.

The incidents add to what has been a turbulent period for Manchester United both on and off the pitch. The club has undergone significant managerial and structural changes in recent seasons, and the legal distractions involving key squad members are unlikely to be welcomed by the club’s hierarchy ahead of a World Cup summer. As of the time of reporting, neither Manchester United nor any of the three players involved have issued a public statement regarding the cases.