Manchester United are proving that they are giving Sir Jim Ratcliffe the type of transfer that he asked for when the club were drawing up transfer plans back in March.
Manchester United are closing in on their second signing of the summer, with an agreement to sign Brentford’s talisman, Bryan Mbeumo, on the verge of completion.
Mbeumo made it clear at the beginning of June that his preference was to sign for Rúben Amorim’s team. Despite two bids worth £55 million and £62.5 million, including add-ons, being rejected, there is confidence that an eventual agreement will be reached.
Should the Cameroon international sign, he will join United alongside Matheus Cunha, who was announced as Amorim’s first transfer of the summer for a £62.5 million fee from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
United are also planning to add a new striker and midfielder to their ranks before the start of the Premier League season in mid-August, although sales will be necessary to raise sufficient funds.
Ratcliffe asked for this type of signing in March
Before it was confirmed that United were not playing in any European competitions next season, United CEO Omar Berrada was open in admitting that the club had two clear summer transfer plans – one including Champions League football.
During the planning phase, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was adamant that he wanted United to sign more players akin to the transfer of Bruno Fernandes in 2020 – players with clear top-level experience who were set to grow into their prime at United, while making an immediate impact at the club.
Cunha and Mbeumo are just that, and maybe even more so than Fernandes. While it would be unfair to expect either player to live up to the club captain in that respect, there are plenty of signs that Cunha and/or Mbeumo could have a similar impact on the field.
United signed Fernandes when he was 25, with Mbeumo now the same age and Cunha having just turned 26. Both players are coming off their best individual campaigns yet, and unlike Fernandes, they already have Premier League experience.
As far as bringing in more players who are in a similar position to Fernandes when United signed the Portuguese Magnifico in 2020, it would be hard to find better examples.
United are gearing up for a 2028 Premier League title
Berrada has been very clear in stating that the board’s objective is to bring the Premier League trophy back to Old Trafford at the end of the 2027/28 season, which is 150 years after the club’s inception.
This gives United three seasons to get their house in order and build a team capable of eclipsing the reign of Manchester City and Liverpool.
The first of these three seasons, the upcoming campaign, is to build a foundation. Amorim has had little time to embed his proper system in the squad after joining mid-season in November 2024, so the upcoming pre-season and the absence of European football will give the head coach significant time to establish a proper philosophy at United.
As for signings, bringing in players such as the duo above will help accelerate United’s plans to become a stronger squad, as they raise the talent level of the team, while also enhancing the overall Premier League experience and adding a more physical presence to the front line.
Suppose United can also secure a reliable goalscorer and a high-level midfielder before the start of the season. In that case, Amorim will be able to establish a consistent team capable of handing the club a good start to its first three seasons, which the board can build upon and create a title-winning side by 2028.
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