Manchester United came unstuck last season, and things looked pretty bleak as the Red Devils wrapped up a year that offered no route into European football and dealt a 15th-place finish in the Premier League.
However, to borrow a common social media phrase: ‘When you’re big, you’re big.’
Matheus Cunha is evidence of that, having joined United from Wolverhampton Wanderers despite interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. All four interested parties will play in Europe next term.
Following on from that, there’s even more excitement to come at Old Trafford
Man Utd hold talks for top striker target after Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo has informed Brentford that he will only leave the club if it means moving to the Theatre of Dreams. INEOS are pushing to get that one done, having seen two offers rejected already.
If the Cameroonian does sign for Ruben Amorim’s side, he will join Cunha in a new-look strikeforce promising much more than was on show last year. And that’s without even considering the elite striker who may yet join the club.
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Man United’s interest in a certain Viktor Gyokeres has been well-documented over the past several months. However, their 2024/25 woes have created some limitations, and the 27-year-old, who was so dangerous under Amorim’s wing, has expressed a preference to sign for Arsenal.
However, Caught Offside have recently reported that it’s now only a matter of time until Gyokeres is on the move, with Arsenal and United singled out as the clubs to have discussed a move with Sporting, asking to be kept in the loop regarding his future.
Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, has since said there is a “strong possibility” the Sweden international is sold this summer below his €100m (£85m) release clause. A more realistic €80m (£68m) fee has been touted.
Why Viktor Gyokeres is perfect for Man Utd
Just imagine for a moment that after this terrible year, this nadir in which Man United have plummeted, Amorim finds himself equipped with a front three comprised of Cunha, Mbeumo and Gyokeres.
It would certainly be an improvement on last year’s attacking crop, with Gyokeres’ ridiculous return of 97 goals and 28 assists across 102 matches for Sporting, leading journalist Alex Turk to call him a “monster” when urging United to make their bid.
Signing such a prolific player to go alongside Mbeumo might even prove the formula for a return to the apex of European competition, especially when considering Gyokeres outscored every single player across Europe’s top ten divisions last year.
1.
Viktor Gyokeres
33
39
2.
Kylian Mbappe
34
31
3.
Mohamed Salah
38
29
4.
Robert Lewandowski
34
27
5.
Harry Kane
31
26
While detractors would point toward Gyokeres plying his trade in the Portuguese top flight, it’s worth noting that he still scored those goals, also putting a hat-trick past Manchester City in the Champions League.
And like Mbeumo, he is a striker who has been fashioned in the Championship, thriving for Coventry City before earning his big move, which may yet pale in comparison to a high-profile transfer to Man United.
Mbeumo – who learned his trade in the EFL like Gyokeres – will be aiming to rival the Swede’s goal return, sure, but he will also advance his dance partner’s individual success.
As per Sofascore, the Bees forward averaged 1.8 key passes per Premier League game in 2024/25, creating 17 big chances besides.
There’s a certain completeness and intelligence to Mbeumo’s style of play, which emphasises his potential in tough conditions at United, where the margin for error will be a narrow thing indeed over the coming months.
With these two forwards combining with Cunha, there’s a real chance the Red Devils will rise again. For now, fans will understandably reserve judgment, but even the most dejected of fans would concede that INEOS are making positive moves in the market.
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