Man Utd's play next season promises to revolve around the trio of Mbeumo, Cunha, and Fernandes. Photo: Sky Sports

Finishing 15th and trophyless last season marked a low point for Man Utd in the Premier League era. Therefore, any sign of renewal for the new season is seen as positive. The arrival of new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo offers a glimmer of hope, as both players could address some of the pressing issues at Old Trafford.

Former player Gary Neville commented, "Cunha and Mbeumo both have Premier League experience and are ideal additions,". However, that's not the only reason why they are considered solutions to Man Utd's problems.

Last season, Man Utd struggled to score. Despite ranking sixth in chances created, they were second-to-last in shot conversion rate and fourth-to-last in shooting accuracy. Overall, Amorim's team failed to score in 15 Premier League matches, with only relegated Southampton and Leicester faring worse. 11 of these goalless games occurred under Amorim, who arrived in early 11/2024.

Fernandes and Cunha occupy similar positions, both playing on the left side of the attack.

Man Utd also had the second-worst expected goals (xG) differential in the league, suggesting they should have scored at least 9 more goals than their actual tally of 44. This is where Cunha and Mbeumo could make a difference, based on their performances last season.

Mbeumo notably outperformed his xG, scoring 7 more goals than expected, leading the league in this metric. Cunha ranked third. Both could provide the cutting edge in front of goal that Man Utd has lacked.

The next, and perhaps most challenging, puzzle for Amorim is how to integrate Mbeumo and Cunha into the starting lineup, especially with Fernandes remaining at Old Trafford.

With the 3-4-2-1 formation, Man Utd still needs a new striker if Amorim doesn't use Rasmus Højlund.

Cunha or Fernandes?

The 40-year-old manager has repeatedly stated his commitment to the 3-4-2-1 formation. In Cunha's favor, manager Vitor Pereira used the same system at Wolves in the latter half of the 2024-2025 season, with the Brazilian forward occupying the left-sided attacking midfield role.

While the Brazilian's 15 goals demonstrated consistency throughout last season, his form peaked under Pereira. He scored in his first two games under Pereira, then added five goals in seven consecutive matches from early February to April.

However, at Man Utd, Fernandes has typically occupied the left-sided attacking midfield position since Amorim's arrival. Last season, the Portuguese occasionally played deeper in central midfield, ceding the number 10 role to Mason Mount. This structure was deployed in the Europa League final loss to Tottenham. Will Bruno accept a deeper role to accommodate Cunha?

During his time at Sporting, Amorim entrusted the number 10 role to Pedro Goncalves, also known as Pote. While not the biggest star, Pote was the driving force of the attack. While players like Viktor Gyokeres grabbed headlines, Pote contributed 30 goals and 27 assists in his final 73 games under Amorim at Sporting. Now, Amorim must decide between Bruno and Cunha for this key role at Man Utd.

Mbeumo or Amad Diallo?

If Cunha is earmarked for the left-sided attacking midfield position, Mbeumo is a candidate for the right-sided equivalent, also within the 3-4-2-1 formation. Referring back to Amorim's Sporting, his system always featured a right-footed attacker on that side, with Marcus Edwards and Francisco Trincao being the choices in Lisbon.

At Man Utd, Mbeumo will want this position, but so will Amad Diallo. The 23-year-old spent much of his time under Amorim sidelined due to injury, but whenever he played, he proved a valuable asset during difficult periods.

Diallo's goal and assist in the Manchester derby victory came from the right-sided attacking midfield position. He also played this role in the Europa League final loss to Tottenham, where he was a bright spark despite the defeat.

Mbeumo's statistics from last season show he earned Brentford 22 Premier League points through goals and assists—a figure second only to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. The Cameroonian forward's goal contributions not only place him among the league's statistically best players but also among the most impactful in deciding crucial matches.

Therefore, there are two possibilities: Mbeumo and Amad compete for the right-sided attacking midfield role, or Amad is deployed as a right wingback.

The wingback positions are also crucial in Amorim's tactical system. Given the frequent transitions in modern football, wide areas become vital. Considering the current options, Man Utd doesn't possess highly-rated wingbacks in the Premier League.

But Amad has shown he can play as a wingback. He started in that position in Amorim's first four Premier League games at Man Utd, contributing four assists. After a period playing further forward, his next start at wingback resulted in a hat-trick against Southampton.

The arrivals of Cunha and Mbeumo are the first steps in Man Utd's rebuilding plan. Both players not only face significant career changes but could also influence the roles and responsibilities of their new teammates.

Hoang Thong (via Sky Sports)