Manchester United are attempting to make a statement of attacking intent by recruiting both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo before the first summer transfer deadline on June 10. Cunha has already walked through the Old Trafford entrance door from Wolves in a £62.5million deal, marking the start of a crucial business period.
Progress is being made on Mbeumo after Brentford rejected an opening offer worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons. The Bees are holding out for a fee in the region of £60m, which United are expected to near with an imminent second bid. If, or when, the 25-year-old seals his desired switch, Ruben Amorim‘s optimism for his first full season as head coach will surely grow.
However, while his attacking quality will rise, so will the dilemmas on his hands when it comes to his strongest team.
Amorim is set to install Cunha and Mbeumo as the two attacking midfielder-winger hybrids in his 3-4-3 system, operating behind a striker.
That’s an exciting proposition, but after Bruno Fernandes rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, it begs the question of where the United captain will fit.
Fernandes appears destined for a permanent role as one-half of Amorim’s midfield double pivot, acting as a box-to-box link between defence and attack.
And the Portuguese boss reportedly wants to add an energetic midfielder to his ranks after addressing his attack, possibly to partner Fernandes.
Such a move would cast serious doubt about multiple futures, especially during a transfer window in which so many of United’s first team have a price.
Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with an exit, given his sale would generate pure profit to boost the Red Devils in their battle to comply with FFP and PSR.
The 20-year-old hasn’t yet agreed to a contract extension beyond his 2027 expiry, and uncertainty over his game time going forward would only add to the speculation.
Casemiro, Mason Mount and Toby Collyer are other midfielders whose futures would surely enter the spotlight if a new option arrived.
Collyer has been linked with a loan exit, while Casemiro is entering the final year of his contract and is no stranger to departure talk.
Mount has yet to properly convince since his £55m move from Chelsea in 2023, and three acquisitions in positions he can play wouldn’t bode well for his playing time prospects.
Amorim must get ruthless with his rebuild after United recorded their worst-ever Premier League season with no silverware for salvation.
And the ongoing change in attack looks likely to leak into his midfield.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk