Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has explained the hidden impact he believes Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have had on the club.
Manchester United’s four summer signings, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško, and Senne Lammens, resulted in spending of over £200 million under Rúben Amorim.
While Lammens has become a quick fan favourite and Šeško has played some great games thus far, it is Cunha and Mbeumo who have had the most transformative impact under the United head coach so far.
Mbeumo is the club’s top scorer with six goals, five of which came in the Premier League, while Cunha has been instrumental tactically for the fantastic wins against the likes of Liverpool and Brighton.
United have lost just one of their last seven fixtures in the Premier League and are looking to climb up the Premier League table during what is set to be a busy winter schedule.
Mbeumo and Cunha have released Fernandes
In the last six seasons, it has been Bruno Fernandes who has been the dominant shining force across the side’s last three managerial appointments. Since he joined in January 2020, the club captain has amassed 302 appearances, scoring 100 goals and providing 89 assists, all from midfield.
However, with Cunha and Mbeumo’s arrivals, former United defender Wes Brown believes Fernandes is starting to realise that he can begin to relinquish some of the burden he has in carrying the club’s attacking line. This impact may be underappreciated at the club so far.
“The team has to keep learning and push forward. I love our right-hand side,” Brown told AceOdds. Amad is great, particularly when he is able to focus on attacking, as I think defending is something he can work on in his game.
“He has never done it before, but that right-hand side can become very scary for other teams. I love it.. O feel like Bruno is starting to understand that there are other players in the team that can do what he always tries to do.
“Bruno usually did what he did because others weren’t always stepping up, but it didn’t work all the time. He understands now that he can utilise the talent of the likes of Mbeumo and Cunha.”
United can put a good run together to claim top four
The aim for United is to finish within the Premier League’s top six positions, which would qualify the club for European football next season. However, Brown went on to explain that he feels Champions League football should be the aim, which would require a finish in the top four.
“I think any position in the league which gives access to European football would be a big bonus,” he continued. “Can we get Champions League football? We’ll see, but it is way too early to say what will happen.
“But Man United haven’t had a consistent run of form for a long time, but now the team has a very good balance. I still think Liverpool and Man City are better, but they can’t worry about other teams.”
As for a consistent run of form, there is arguably no better time than the next ten games to do so. United will not have to face a single ‘big six’ team in the Premier League during this run, which starts with a home fixture against Everton.
This will then be followed up by a trip to London to face Crystal Palace, before welcoming West Ham to Old Trafford. Then, United will travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers before hosting Bournemouth in Manchester.
Toward the end of December, United will play Aston Villa at Villa Park, then Newcastle at Old Trafford, rounding off the year with a home fixture against Wolves. January starts with away trips against Leeds United and Burnley.
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