Manchester United look to finally be fixing their biggest mistake in 2023 that left Casemiro “disappointed” with the club’s decision-making.
Manchester United’s 2025 summer transfer window plans are all about completely reshaping Rúben Amorim’s attacking options.
After securing Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in the January transfer window, United have already announced the signing of Matheus Cunha and are closing in on securing Bryan Mbeumo before pre-season training commences next week.
Last campaign, United struggled for goals. Bruno Fernandes led the way with 19 goals, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad followed with 11 each. Rasmus Højlund added 10, but no other player managed to reach double figures in any competition.
Aside from Cunha and Mbeumo, United are also looking to add a new centre-forward to their front line, although it is unclear who the club’s first-choice is.
United made a huge mistake in 2023 that disappointed Casemiro
United’s best season in recent campaigns was undoubtedly their 2022/23 season, during which then-manager Erik ten Hag won the club its first trophy in six years with a 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle, and also finished third in the Premier League.
That summer, United went on to recruit Højlund, André Onana, and Mason Mount as starting XI signings, with Altay Bayındır, Sofyan Amrabat, and Jonny Evans coming as reinforcement options. United also signed Sergio Reguilón on a six-month loan following an injury to Luke Shaw.
However, United’s preferred transfer that summer was striker Harry Kane, who eventually signed for Bayern Munich for £82 million. At the time, United’s failure to land Kane “disappointed” Casemiro.
“Many in Ten Hag’s squad wanted and expected United to go for Kane so that the team could, in their minds, be transformed into title challengers,” The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell explained.
“Casemiro was known to feel that, having come third with 75 points, adding a proven scorer of Kane’s quality would have lifted United’s aspirations significantly.
“He had been told when signing that United intended to make additions to compete at the top of the Premier League and gave the impression he was disappointed that, having done his bit, the recruits last summer did not marry up to that proposed ambition.
“He was not alone in that thinking, and the attitude in camp suffered as a consequence.”
That season, although Højlund went on to score 16 goals and secure his status as the club’s top scorer for 2022/23, the Dane went through multiple rough patches, showing that he had a lot still to learn – the antithesis of what Casemiro had hoped.
United are finally fixing their 2023 mistake this summer
In the 2024 summer window, United signed another striker, 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee, although he too turned out to be another young striker who required guidance after not hitting the ground running.
However, with Cunha and Mbeumo set to arrive at United ahead of pre-season, United are finally rectifying their 2023 error by signing proven goal scorers.
Cunha netted 15 goals in the league last season, none of which were penalties, while Mbeumo scored 20, five of which were penalties. Both players also showcased their playmaking abilities, collecting six and nine assists across all competitions, respectively.
Both players have proven they can play their very best football in the Premier League, just like Kane at Spurs, and can score a wide range of goals across the competition while expressing a knack for playmaking, much like Kane.
With Cunha and Mbeumo joining the club alongside a new starting striker this summer, Casemiro will finally get his wish of seeing United play with seasoned goal scorers at the fore of their attacking line.
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