Ruben Amorim has a clear response to Bryan Mbeumo’s reported transfer demand after Manchester United transfer talks took place.
Manchester United have just announced the signing of Matheus Cunha but the club isn’t content with bringing in just one forward this summer.
Following a record-low finish for the club in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League football and defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, the side needs to bring in more proven goalscorers.
It looks likely that at least four United forwards – Alejandro Granacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford – will leave the club, so Ruben Amorim is looking to bring in another attacking midfielder and a striker.
As it seems Liam Delap has decided to sign for Chelsea, United has shifted their focus to another Premier League-proven forward but it they’re facing another setback.
Amorim’s response to Mbeumo demand is clear
Recent weeks have seen United target Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo following his impressive Premier League season. After stepping up in Ivan Toney’s absence, Mbeumo has achieved 27 goal involvements in 38 appearances with only three players in the league scoring more goals across the campaign.
However, reports from Newcastle have indicated that Mbeumo may favour a move to the northeast following the club’s qualification for Champions League football. Reports from the Chronicle as per The Faithful MUFC have suggested that Mbeumo wants to “play in the biggest of competitions next season”.
At the earliest, United could play in the Champions League again in September 2026 but this would likely require a top-five finish. This season, United were 24 points of fifth place Newcastle, meaning they were closer to 19th place Ipswich than they were achieving Champions League qualification.
United and Amorim’s response to this stance is clear – with the club needing to convince the player that there is a meaningful rebuild occurring at Old Trafford. Thankfully, a recent report from Ben Jacobs has contradicted the Chronicle and suggested Mbeumo could be open to a project move.
Now, it appears to be on United to showcase why the rebuild happening under Amorim is worthwhile Mbeumo opting to play another season without European football.
United’s new attack would have options
United are quickly turning one of their areas of weakness into an area of strength with their pursuit of another forward. Cunha and Mbeumo, should he be signed, will likely play in the attacking midfield positions.
Last season this position was primarily filled by Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad. During the latter half of the season, Mason Mount returned from injury and Joshua Zirkzee transitioned from a striker to another attacking midfield option.
Garnacho seems certain to leave the club this summer and Amad has started playing more as an attacking wingback to allow more offensive players on the pitch. This leaves five players to fill the two positions, but Amorim has options.
Although this seems like too much competition for limited places, each player has alternative positions they can play. Mbeumo can play like Amad, filling the attacking midfield positions or acting as an attacking fullback while Cunha can also operate as a striker.
Mount and Fernandes can play in any midfield position they’re needed and can fill in behind the two number tens in deeper positions if necessary. That leaves Zirkzee who may still be needed to play as a striker next season following the club missing out on Delap.
If Amorim and United handle this window correctly then they could quickly see themselves in a position where they not only have options in terms of attacking players but also styles. This level of versatility would surely lead to United scoring more goals.
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