Talking tactics – Manchester United are expected to have Cunha and Mbeumo next season but how will Amorim set up his squad?
Manchester United are expected to reshape their squad under Ruben Amorim this summer, and the club’s business has already started.
They have secured Brazilian midfielder Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are pursuing Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo. Both Cunha and Mbeumo thrived in the Premier League last season, Cunha netting double figures for Wolves, while Mbeumo was the league’s fourth-highest goalscorer with 20 goals.
United’s transfer strategy this summer appears to be signing Premier League-proven players, after recent signings from abroad including Jadon Sancho, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have had trouble adapting to the intensity of the English top flight and high scrutiny at the club.
In terms of exits, attackers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are expected to leave Old Trafford.
Amorim has said he will not depart from his 3-4-3 formation. Hence United’s recruitment is aimed at getting the right players to fit into that system.
Cunha and Mbeumo as the two No 10s
Cunha and Mbeumo – if the deal is brought over the line – are expected to occupy the two advanced roles just behind the striker. In practice, they will serve as inside forwards or No 10s, pressing from the front and getting goals on either side of a striker. They will also be expected to collect the ball there at the half-spaces and bring the players around them into the game.
Cunha will almost certainly play on the left, where he has played for Wolves under Vitor Pereira. No doubt it was his ability in that particular position that attracted Amorim’s interest in the first place. Mbeumo will likely play on the right and up front United will have a central striker.
United appear ready to sign a proven goalscorer to replace the underperforming Rasmus Hojlund. The club has already tried to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, but he has now chosen Chelsea. Other possible targets include Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, who has played for Amorim before and is one of Europe’s top scorers.
However, Amorim and United’s transfer chiefs might be wary of signing a player who has previously played under Amorim, given the negative press that former manager Erik ten Hag attracted when he signed a slew of his ex-players and they all underperformed.
Another name that has been discussed is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, on loan at Galatasaray, although the Nigerian is reportedly demanding high wages. It remains to be seen whether United will be decisive and courageous enough to go for that deal.
Having said that, whoever starts up front will be the focal point for the new-look United attack and will be expected to grab chances and finish them off ruthlessly.
Zirkzee still remains at United and there has been little speculation about him leaving. It seems likely that he will provide depth in either of the two No 10 roles.
Fernandes in central midfield, Amad at right wing-back
Bruno Fernandes has confirmed that he will not be leaving United this season after Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal bid £100 million for his signature. Fernandes has previously played in the left-sided No 10 role for United under Amorim, although he has also featured at central midfield.
With Cunha clearly not signed to fight for minutes with Fernandes, both players can reasonably be expected to feature in Amorim’s starting XI, which means that Fernandes will most likely occupy one of the two central midfield positions in the 3-4-3 system.
One of the key issues at United last season was that they occasionally dropped too deep, had too many defensive players and lacked enough bodies in the attacking third. At times with three central defenders, two defensive-minded midfielders and two wing-backs dropping back, the Red Devils would have as many as seven out of their 10 outfield players in defensive areas, leaving only three to operate in the attacking third.
With Fernandes in central midfield this problem would be reduced, and it is likely to be solved completely with the deployment of Amad Diallo in the right wing-back position.
Earlier in Amorim’s tenure Amad played as a right wing-back and excelled there, but the departure of Antony and Rashford and injury to Mason Mount allowed Amad to play as a right-sided No 10, where he was arguably not as effective.
To create balance between attack and defence, Amorim could choose to play the more defensive-minded Patrick Dorgu on the left, while the effective winger Amad could occupy the right wing-back role, which means that he would be much further up the field when United are in possession and essentially be playing as a right winger.
In central areas, Casemiro’s aging legs will see him continue to play a bit-part role – if he doesn’t leave the club this summer. It remains to be seen whether Manuel Ugarte can impress in his second season at the club, having had some time to adapt to the Premier League. Kobbie Mainoo remains a talent, though Amorim would have to decide how he wants to help the player develop, having played him at times as a No 10 and even a false nine.
But it looks like United will need another midfielder, most likely someone defensively solid but also very good in possession. Amorim’s side struggled last season to move the ball from defence through midfield to forward areas, often choking as they tried to play through the opposition’s press.
At centre-back United have five options, so they are unlikely to sign any players for that position this summer given the tight budget. Similarly, Andre Onana looks like he will remain the No 1. The Cameroon international has made costly errors but Amorim might have little choice but to keep faith.
