With several reports claiming that Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will move to Manchester United this summer, it remains to be seen what value the duo can add.
While Cunha was among the topmost performers for Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, Mbeumo was the main driving force behind Brentford’s foray into the top ten of the league.
The Cunha deal seems to have been completed already, while Mbeumo has reportedly held talks with Manchester United and seems keen on making the move to northern England.
PROUD pic.twitter.com/OSkoHd9tJf
— Matheus Cunha 🇧🇷 (@MatheusCunhax) May 27, 2025
United ended this season on a disastrous note (15th in the EPL) despite winning their final game against Aston Villa. This is the lowest Manchester United have finished a Premier League season in recent history, and the aftereffects of this are likely to be felt sooner rather than later.
They had the opportunity to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season by winning the UEFA Europa League final this year. However, they were beaten by fellow English club Tottenham Hotspur, who took home the crown by winning the game 1-0.
Manchester United Embraced a New Approach Under Ruben Amorim
Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, United have seemed to adopt a new philosophy of constantly attacking and playing well in the final third. Amorim, who likes to play with a three-man backline, seems to have rejuvenated the side with his ideas, even though the results have not quite gone in his favour yet.
At the end of the current season, he won 17 and lost the same number of games while drawing eight, with the Red Devils. His unbeaten percentage is 59, and it is likely to improve further next season.
OMDSS!!! IT’S DONE!
Welcome to Manchester United, Matheus Cunha 🤩🇧🇷✅ pic.twitter.com/NOcyOkBxkP
— UtdPaper (@UtdPaper_) May 27, 2025
However, a big problem that United faced this season was the lack of a proper striker who could convert chances and give them a head start in front of goal. Cunha’s arrival should solve this issue, while it remains to be seen what the management chooses to do with Rasmus Højlund.
Matheus Cunha: Known for his Workrate
Cunha is an out-and-out central attacking midfielder with experience in the Premier League, and will be a good signing. He can also play as an outright striker, as was seen with the 17 goals and six assists he bagged for Wolves this season.
Matheus Cunha – 2024/25
Welcome to Manchester United.pic.twitter.com/wJp0OyBHRi
— 𝙁 (@fuadyabz23) May 28, 2025
United created plenty of chances this season, but both Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, their current options up top, failed to keep the ball well and convert them into chances. This can be attributed to both players’ relative youth and inexperience in the league, and Cunha’s arrival is bound to solve this issue somewhat.
The Brazilian is expected to form a good working relationship with manager Amorim, who also speaks the same language. Cunha has been appreciated across England for his excellent work ethic, and this will be a big boost for the Red Devils, too.
Cunha is known for his work rate off the ball, and is often seen dropping back to facilitate passing and crossing into the box. However, whenever he gets the ball, he has enough confidence to score.
Last season:
Matheus Cunha🇧🇷 – 17⚽️ 6👟
Bryan Mbeumo🇨🇲 – 20⚽️ 9👟
Bruno Fernandes🇵🇹 – 19⚽️ 20👟
Amad Diallo 🇨🇮- 11⚽️ 9👟Dangerous times ahead but not for us😮💨🔴 pic.twitter.com/xIlGjOZT97
— SimplyUtd (@SimplyUtd) May 27, 2025
The 26-year-old is also known for getting into good positions in the final third in order to receive passes and then either set up a more advanced teammate or take the chance himself.
He will be a dream for club captain Bruno Fernandes to work with.
Bryan Mbeumo’s arrival will threaten Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo
Another player whom Fernandes will find it easy to work with is Mbeumo, who will bring his own brand of creativity to the club.
The Cameroonian has been a stalwart for Brentford ever since they arrived in the top-flight of English football. He ended this year’s campaign with 20 goals and eight assists across all competitions, and as a result, United were waiting in a long queue to obtain his signature in the summer transfer window.
Check out these goals from Bryan Mbeumo.
Love his intelligence and composure in front of goal.
Hope we sign him.
[@ue_shm]pic.twitter.com/4NfIUIzUKO
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) May 26, 2025
While it has been reported that he is keen on speaking to United’s representatives, nothing has been confirmed yet. Mbeumo is technically a right-winger who can also play across the other flank while contributing up top.
There are few footballers more stylish than Mbeumo on the ball, and he will be seen as a reincarnation of Eric Cantona and David Beckham at Old Trafford. He will make sure that he fills the place vacated by the untimely dismissal of Marcus Rashford and provide competition to the likes of Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Bryan Mbeumo becomes the 7th African international to score 20+ goals in a Premier League season, joining:
▪️Mohamed Salah
▪️Didier Drogba
▪️Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
▪️Emmanuel Adebayor
▪️Sadio Mané
▪️Yaya TouréA true Premier League star 💫 pic.twitter.com/YJFdUMhxOZ
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) May 26, 2025
Mbeumo, who has also played for France at youth level, is known for his searing crosses as well as timely passes. He is someone who can play comfortably with his back to the goal, and is confident enough to take on defenders in one-on-one situations. Fernandes will enjoy creating chances and seeing them land at Mbeumo and Cunha’s feet.
However, there may be some reasons why the arrival of this duo may not work for United. Firstly, Cunha is not a senior or experienced centre-forward, but merely an attacking midfielder who can play in a variety of other positions.
Selling Garnacho for £60m+ and replacing him with Bryan Mbeumo would be brilliant business. pic.twitter.com/YRxFBpDPfC
— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) May 27, 2025
What United desperately need now is a senior centre-forward who has enough experience of playing in any of Europe’s top leagues. As for Mbeumo, it remains to be seen whether he will come to Old Trafford, where there is no chance of playing in the Champions League.
Mbeumo’s arrival will also threaten the places held by Diallo and Garnacho, both of whom have been regular starters under Amorim. Both Diallo and Garnacho are players touted to be United’s future, and if Mbeumo joins United, at least one of them will have to be sold, which will severely hamper the club’s balance.
Bryan Mbeumo vs. Brighton pic.twitter.com/YtUW0E6M0T
— 曼联球迷 (@_Utdbaki) May 26, 2025
While Garnacho can also play on the left wing, Diallo may have to suffer the most by sitting on the bench if Mbeumo arrives. United’s sole priority in the summer window should be to sign a top-class striker, such as Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyökeres, and keep the others as standby options.
Cunha could be a good signing, but he will not be expected to solve all their goal-scoring issues. And if Mbeumo signs, some others in the club will have to make way for him.
