Manchester United’s mere 44‑goal tally in the Premier League last season has pushed Rúben Amorim to gamble big on proven Premier League forwards.
With Matheus Cunha already through the door and a £65 million fee now agreed for Bryan Mbeumo, Rúben Amorim is banking on two of last season’s most clinical finishers to end the goal‑crisis at Old Trafford.
Manchester United finished the last Premier League campaign in 15th place with just 44 league goals in 2024/25 – their lowest haul since 1989‑90. In May, towards the end of the season, even Rúben Amorim admitted, “If you don’t score goals, you don’t win matches.”
For the past five years, United have largely tried to avoid the inflated domestic market. Mason Mount, who was viewed at the time as a deal too good to miss, was the only exception.
Now, however, there are new faces at the helm, and United are closing in on spending £127.5 million on two attackers already acclimatised to English football.
Why Cunha and Mbeumo are outliers
Mbeumo was the Premier League’s most clinical finisher in 2024/25, scoring 20 goals from just 13.2 expected goals (xG). That +6.8 over-performance was the highest in the league, showcasing his outstanding efficiency in front of goal.
Cunha also ranked highly for xG over-performance, netting 15 goals from an xG of 8.6 — a difference of +6.4, the third-best in the division. Like Mbeumo, his finishing ability far exceeded the quality of the chances he received.
Both players were among the Premier League’s top eight scorers for the season, underlining just how decisive their goalscoring contributions were, not only in volume but also in terms of beating the odds.
United have put their money on proven finishers, but the numbers might be too good to be true in a team that struggles to create enough big chances.
Sustaining this kind of xG over-performance is statistically hard. On the upside, turning half-chances into goals is something United in the 2024/25 season were in dire need of.
Amoirm’s tactical payoff – two interchangeable forwards
Amorim’s preferred 3‑4‑2‑1 is built on aggressive inside forwards who can press, carry and score. Both newcomers tick those boxes.
One of these is positional flexibility. Cunha spent last year toggling between centre‑forward and left‑sided 10 at Wolves. Mbeumo operated wide right, as a second striker and as a No. 9 during Ivan Toney’s absence. Their opposite feet (Cunha right‑footed, Mbeumo left) give Amorim balanced “dual 10s” that can invert or lead the line.
Another is the pair’s ball carrying and work rate. Opta tracking had Mbeumo in the league’s top tier for progressive carries and possession regains in the final third, underlining his value in pressing schemes.
Cunha is excellent at carrying the ball higher up the pitch, especially under pressure. Additionally, he also wins a high number of fouls and free kicks.
They also provide relative relief for Bruno Fernandes. Mbeumo produced a league-high 9.3 xA and seven assists; Cunha created 49 chances for Wolves, per FBref. Their arrival spreads chance-creation beyond Fernandes and Amad, making United less predictable.
The price of goals
Cunha’s fee was a £62.5 million release clause paid across three instalments, which is now Wolves’ record sale. Mbeumo’s £65 million guaranteed fee, plus up to £6 million in add-ons, is also a Brentford record, sealed following around six weeks of negotiations.
Both Cunha and Mbeumo enter United’s top-ten most expensive signings, a sharp break from the recent habit of looking for talent abroad.
The moves carry obvious risks as well, both forwards are already 25-26 years old, and there’s no guarantee they will be able to replicate last season’s exceptional numbers.
Yet United’s logic is simple. Without Bruno Fernandes, the side offers almost no end product.
Furthermore, the club isn’t chasing a ball-carrying, chance-creating midfielder this summer. That means Bruno will feature more in midfield, much like the previous season. On recent form, Cunha and Mbeumo look the surest way to buy that output.
United’s risk-reward calculus
There are several threat factors – United ended last season in 15th place, so goals aren’t their only weakness.
Sinking at least £127.5 million into two forwards while already brushing up against the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations limits leaves little budget to fix problems in midfield, ball progression, or defence.
If Cunha and Mbeumo don’t replicate their career‑best form, that financial squeeze could quickly look like an expensive gamble.
However, there are also plenty of mitigating factors. Even if the finishing numbers fall off, these two still tick boxes that United desperately need.
Mbeumo topped the league for shots generated after ball carries and ranked third for big‑chance creation, while Cunha sat inside the top five for fouls won and transition carries. That mix of direct running, ball security, and foul‑drawing gives United a route up the pitch even when the goals aren’t flowing.
In a side thin on calm, press‑resistant ball‑carriers, their willingness to take possession under pressure and drive play forward could prove as valuable as the goals themselves.
There is also something to be said for their fit within the club’s new culture. Amorim has insisted on hungry, Premier League-ready profiles in early Old Trafford meetings. Mbeumo’s relentless work rate fits that ask perfectly.
He leads the charts for off‑ball sprints and rarely shies away from defensive duties. Traits that should make him a coach’s favourite. Matheus Cunha adds the right personality mix; he relishes adversity and has spoken about dreaming of Old Trafford nights while playing FIFA with his cousins as a kid.
Both arrive not for legacy status but to grab starting roles immediately – exactly the culture shift the manager has demanded.
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best one. In Cunha and (imminently) Mbeumo, Amorim gains two prime‑age attackers who can roam as dual No. 10s, spearhead the press and, crucially, finish. We’ll find out if they are the fix for Manchester United’s problems.
If even one of them sustains 75 % of last season’s overachievement, United’s attack benefits immensely. Fail, and questions will circle about overpaying. After a 44‑goal season, though, the club could hardly afford to be cautious.
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