Where would Mbeumo fit in Man Utd's attack?published at 10:32 3 June
10:32 3 June
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater spoke to the Devils' Advocate podcast about the prospect of Bryan Mbeumo ing Manchester United: "The problem I have with Mbeumo is where he fits in this system because he plays in the same position as Amad Diallo, cutting inside from the right. Unless Amad gets shifted into the right wing back, which is a big possibility, where does he fit in?
"My worry is we are g Mbeumo because we want him to be the number nine - he is not that. I want us to bring him in, but we need [a different] number nine.
"I think [Viktor] Gyokeres would be my top option as the number nine. You're guaranteed goals. All of my worries about him are taken away purely by the amount of goals he's scored."
What does a striker g mean for Hojlund?published at 08:29 3 June
08:29 3 June
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.
Ben asked: Following the g of Matheus Cunha, what other gs can you realistically see Manchester United making this summer?
Simon answered: Clearly a number nine is a priority. Liam Delap turned United down, so Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford,Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and others come into the equation.
What that means for Rasmus Hojlund I am not sure. He could be an (expensive) understudy or United could try to sell, although they won't get anything like the £72m they paid for him.
That is the general problem for United and Ruben Amorim this summer. I think they would like to make a lot of gs but they also have a lot of underperforming players under contract who are not worth what they paid for them.
Each sale could cost money and they can only get rid of so many.
And we have not even started speaking about Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho yet.
Crystal Palace's French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, is also on Manchester United's striker shortlist, but they may face competition from Juventus and AC Milan. (Teamtalk), external
Everton, Manchester United and West Ham could make a move for Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, with Al-Hilal prepared to offload the 30-year-old. (Talksport), external
Manchester United are also waiting for a decision from Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes about whether he wants to stay at the club or leave, with Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal interested in the 30-year-old. (Sky Sports), external
Two more significant departures from Manchester United have been confirmed.
Director of media relations and public affairs Andrew Ward and media director Ian Nolan are to leave the club.
Ward is best known as the United official who accompanied head coach Ruben Amorim to his news conferences.
The exits are not part of the redundancy programme and both will remain in position until their replacements are confirmed.
George McCaffery will step up and be alongside Amorim at future media engagements.
United returned from their post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong on Saturday.
They are due to play Leeds in Stockholm in their first pre-season game on 19 July before heading to the United States to take part in a Premier League tournament along with West Ham,Everton and Bournemouth.
🎧 'I'd take £130m' - The Devils' Advocate on Fernandes and Cunhapublished at 17:51 2 June
17:51 2 June
A new episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast from BBC Radio Manchester is available now.
Hosts Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath discuss the arrival of Matheus Cunha, who might be next in at Old Trafford and the future of captain Bruno Fernandes.
Should Man Utd sell Bruno Fernandes? Transfer window Q&A published at 14:43 2 June
14:43 2 June
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport chief football reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on the summer transfer window.
A suffering Man Utd fan asked: Do you think Manchester United should sell Bruno Fernandes and reinvest in a couple of players? I can't make my mind up if he is part of the problem through no fault of his own as we are so reliant on him!
Simon answered: Oh my goodness, where do you start with this? By some considerable distance, Fernandes is Manchester United's most effective attacking player. He is the one they rely on to create, score goals, galvanise the team and lead. Aside from that, he is a pivotal figure off the field, tries to guide young players around what it means to be a young player and the behaviours and scrutiny that entails.
If he left, it would be absolutely huge. On the negative side, I accept his approach does not help when it comes to a 'system' because if he has a flaw, it is his positional discipline, which can create massive problems for his team-mates. I actually thought Erik ten Hag found the answer when he played him as a false nine in the FA Cup final against Manchester City but Ruben Amorim is not heading down that route, so if he stays it will either be as one of two number 10s or as a holding midfielder.
Given his age and where United are, I would be inclined to sell. But, and it is a very big but, they have to buy well and so many alarm bells go off in my head when I think of that because of United's overall recent record.
What can Man Utd spend this summer?published at 12:52 2 June
12:52 2 June
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The picture painted of a financial crisis at Manchester United seems to have been overplayed by part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United had the highest EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) profit of any Premier League club, as well as the second highest revenues in 2023-24.
Given this cash profit is generated by the day-to-day operations of the club, it only underlines United's appeal at the turnstile to sponsors and broadcasters - despite their poor performance on the pitch.
Ipswich forward Liam Delap was in United's sights, at a price of £30m, but has chosen Chelsea, and further spending power looks to hinge on the futures of a host of players they are looking to offload.
The club will hope the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony can depart permanently this summer, but when and for how much will be a key consideration.
What if... the season came down to improvement?published at 11:40 2 June
11:40 2 June
As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...
Many of us will have been there in school.
It was not always about being the best, but about being better. Not trying to beat the others' scores or times, but about beating your own.
In sport too, it is why personal bests exist. It is a way of measuring your own improvement against what has gone before - we can't all be Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner.
So if the Premier League season was all about how you compared to the campaign before, who would have come out on top?
Well, there is one clear winner.
With 29 points more than they had in 2023-24, Nottingham Forest would have been lifting that trophy.
They may not have finished the season quite as they hoped having spent so much time in the Champions League spots, but having narrowly avoided relegation a year ago, this shows the sheer scale of the improvement this term.
Their nearest challenger on this basis would have been Brentford.
With 56 points, they were three points short of their best ever Premier League tally, but having flirted with relegation last time out, it made for a more enjoyable season this time around.
Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham may have just missed out on European adventures in the real league, but they are also teams who can be happy with the improvements they are showing as now well-established top-flight sides.
And despite the chaotic nature of Chelsea since the new ownership came in, they too can look to steady progress.
At the other end of the scale (or table), it is a very different picture.
Many question whether the traditional 'big six' teams is still relevant, given how others have broken that mould in recent years.
But if the season was based on improvement, four of those six would have been at the bottom.
Tottenham dropped-off in the league nearly as much as Forest improved. Manchester City had a high bar to reach, but a torrid spell proved costly. Manchester United have set multiple unwanted club records, while Arsenal struggled to maintain a real challenge for the title.
They say beware the wounded tiger, and it is hard to see all these sides having the same difficulties next season, but they will not have it all their own way with those teams that are on the up.
*All data from Opta and only teams who were in the league in 2023-24
Is Cunha an upgrade on United's attack?published at 11:05 2 June
11:05 2 June
Josh Lobley BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Stats are per 90 minutes from the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Key es = es that lead to a shot.
Progressive carries= A carry that brings the ball at least 10 yards closer to the opponent's goal line, or any carry into the penalty area.
Given Matheus Cunha's success as the left sided attacking midfielder in Vitor Pereira's 3-4-2-1 system, it is a fair assumption that he will play in a similar role at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has used multiple players as his attacking midfielders since moving to Manchester United, but Alejandro Garnacho is perhaps the most direct comparison to the Brazilian.
Last week, BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater said that Matheus Cunha is a "better footballer than Garnacho" and the stats tend to agree with him. Cunha is superior in lots of key aspects of an attacking midfielder including goal scoring, chance creation and dribbling. Although Garnacho completes a lot more progressive carries than his new team-mate.
Perhaps the most interesting take away from the numbers is Cunha's dribbling. Not only does he attempt more take-ons than Garnacho but he does so with much more efficiency. For context, Cunha's take-on success is in line with Amad Diallo (47%) who is one of the most gifted players on the ball at Manchester United.
Of course it is important to that Cunha is six years Garnacho's senior and the Argentine has plenty of time to develop his game. But it is pleasing to know that if the 20 year-old were to depart this summer, the club have recruited someone more than capable in his place - at least statistically.
Is 'bad attitude' useful? Fans on Cunha gpublished at 09:18 2 June
09:18 2 June
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Matheus Cunha g for Manchester United.
Here are some of your comments:
Nick: I'm happy with this. We're creating, but not scoring, so getting someone in who has experience scoring in the Premier League can only be a good thing.
Christine: I think it is a fantastic g in this struggling Manchester United era. I see hope because he can play in so many positions in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 and United need goals, that's all they need.
Salty: Cunha has the skills but does he have the temperament for the most 'under the microscope' and 'under pressure' club currently in the world? I hope so but so much needs to change around him to get the best from him. Let's hope Amorim's plan gets the from the boardroom. I'm still holding my breath...
Graham: At last; the right player, at the right price and at the right age. What could go wrong?
Karl: Definitely a step in the right direction. His stats say he has everything we've been missing - awareness, speed, balance, a finishing edge and above all, confidence. Can't wait to see how he works alongside the likes of Amad, Fernandes and Zirkzee.
Bob: Yes, he's renowned for his 'bad attitude' but that's just because he wants to win, which is an attitude sadly lacking in quite a few of our current squad. I seem to recall a certain Mr Cantona was slated for his attitude when we signed him!
What do you make of Cunha g?published at 14:31 1 June
14:31 1 June
Image source, Getty Images
So, Matheus Cunha is set to become Manchester United's first g of the summer.
The forward will on a five-year contract with the option of another 12 months.
Cunha has scored 72 goals in 270 club appearances, including 33 in 92 during two and a half seasons with Wolves.
The deal, which is subject to visa approval and registration procedures, is expected to be completed once the 26-year-old returns from Brazil duty later this month.
How excited are you by this g? And will Cunha be a success at United?
'He wants to build a team of players who are together'published at 12:31 31 May
12:31 31 May
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter in Hong Kong
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt feels the work Ruben Amorim is doing around the first-team group will pay dividends - despite being set to start next season under intense pressure.
"I've experienced many managers and he's one of the most easy to talk to as a player," said De Ligt.
"He's really into details. Before g new players, first he's looking at the culture, what needs to change and what can be improved to become a better football club. From next season, we will see more of that.
"He wants to build a team of players who are together, fighting for each other and making the most out of what they have.
"Maybe before, you had the best players, but you're not a team."
gs and sales - your transfer window prioritiespublished at 10:04 31 May
10:04 31 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for you to tell us what Manchester United need to do in the summer transfer window.
Here are some of your comments:
Mark: A goalkeeper who can command his area and have good distribution is my first choice and an absolute must buy. All other positions we can tweek and develop to get back on track.
Don: I'd like Manchester United to sign both Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres Those two alone give more than enough pace, stability and deadly goal threat, and also they'll be role models for the youth strikers (Hojlund, Obi and potential academy strikers).
Matt: Need a mix of youth and proven talent. Amorim is already proven to make good decisions with the transfer of Cunha essentially done. Now we just need to further boost the squad with talent, leaving behind the egos on the way. Titles in 10 years? Probably.
Stephen: United need to sign an out-and-out proven goalscorer like Osinhem. If a swap deal can be done with Napoli for Hojlund, they should do it.
Ben: While Bruno Fernandes has been one of United's better player at times (although never consistently) I think selling and cashing in is unfortunately the best option for all parties.
Lee: A keeper and a striker MUST be the primary areas of the pitch to target. We have problems in both boxes and that has caused a lot of the issues we have seen over the past couple of seasons.
Thank you for your published at 09:14 31 May
09:14 31 May
Thank you for the you submitted on the Premier League club pages.
Our aim is to contain all of the BBC's in-depth coverage of that team in one place, so it helpful to hear from you - you are who the pages are for after all.
We are going through all your responses and will take suggestions on board for next season.
'There was a glimpse of the future'published at 18:36 30 May
18:36 30 May
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It was hard not to feel some sympathy for Ruben Amorim as he trudged across the pitch at half-time of Manchester United's second post-season tour match against Hong Kong.
United were losing to an international side gearing up for a match against Nepal and who their manager, former Sheffield Wednesday defender Ashley Westwood, said afterwards had a really big game against Singapore later in the year.
After a ridiculously bad introduction to the Premier League, a Europa League final loss to Tottenham and an embarrassing defeat by a South-East Asia select XI in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Amorim must have been wondering if anything would go right for him at United.
As it turned out, there was a glimpse of the future.
Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven were both signed from Arsenal this season as part of a recruitment drive focused more towards developing players than established stars.
This is the way United feel they will get out of the mess they are in.
Chido is 17 years old. He is raw and a bit inconsistent. He is still to properly fill out. But, he does know where the goal is - and too many have failed at that basic task for Amorim's liking this season.
Heaven is 18 years old. He made such an impression following his ascent into the first team, Amorim kept him there and was genuinely disappointed when he got injured at Leicester in March.
It is far too early to think either player will get to the level United require, but the signs are good.
This has not been an easy trip. But it ended with some genuine hope for the future.
Image source, Getty Images
