Rúben Amorim has been praised for a “masterstroke” Manchester United transfer that can unlock a new type of Bruno Fernandes.
Rúben Amorim left no room for doubt in his summer talks with Manchester United’s board – he wanted proven goalscorers, and he wanted them in place before the 2025/26 season begins.
While the club are still in the market for a centre-forward, they’ve already strengthened their front line with the £127.5 million signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Cunha scored 15 times in the Premier League last season, while Mbeumo netted 20 – both outperforming every United player aside from Bruno Fernandes, who recorded 19 across all competitions.
Set to line up together for the first time during United’s pre-season tour of the USA, there’s growing excitement among fans that the duo can hit the ground running before the curtain-raiser against Arsenal on 17 August.
Mbeumo masterstroke unlocks a new Fernandes
Speaking in a recent interview with AfricaFoot, Quinton Fortune, who played 126 times for United under Sir Alex Ferguson, has hailed Mbeumo’s signing as a “masterstroke” from Amorim.
The 48-year-old explained that Mbeumo’s signing will also relieve a lot of the pressure on Bruno Fernandes, allowing him to play with more freedom next season.
“Mbeumo’s move to Manchester United is not only a masterstroke, but also a major move for the transfer window. For me, he’s one of the top five strikers in the league right now,” Fortune said.
“He can score all sorts of goals, both inside and outside the box; he has that striking ability, and he’s proven it. He’s also capable of creating and setting up goals for other players. Bryan improves his team while remaining versatile in attack.
“His arrival, along with that of Matheus Cunha, will relieve Bruno Fernandes of the burden he’s carried in recent seasons. Bryan also offers Rúben Amorim plenty of options thanks to his versatility. Therefore, for me, he’s a major signing for them.”
Amorim is planning a flexible role for Fernandes
Fernandes’ position for next season has been under a lot of debate, with Cunha and Mbeumo expected to take up the two wide attacking spots, while Amorim still wants a new No. 9.
While the only remaining obvious position for Fernandes is therefore one of the two deeper midfield roles, Amorim has admitted that it’s more likely the club captain will play across both positions.
“He can be [in deeper midfield],” Amorim told reporters when asked if this will become his main place in the starting XI.
“We can change in game but I think sometimes we miss Bruno when he’s playing as a No. 10. I think it’s a good position for him.
“I really like when Bruno has the ball, and if you have the threat of Bryan, Rasmus [Højlund], Matheus in the space, if you have a player with the quality of Bruno without pressure on the ball, it gives us quality.”
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.