Additional firepower is what Manchester United need. Matheus Cunha, who was signed on the opening day of the summer transfer window, will provide that in abundance – but Ruben Amorim and his entourage are still looking to reinforce his squad further.
Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles in the final third, combined with the ever-growing confusion over Joshua Zirkzee’s best position in Amorim's system, is a conundrum that needs to be ironed out and understood more thoroughly before the trading period closes in September.
Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP’s chief hitman, is on the Red Devils’ radar as they eye a guarantee of goals, which is something they’ve been lacking for quite some time now. The last player to register 30 league goals was Marcus Rashford in 2022/23.
If push comes to shove, the aforementioned Cunha could be trusted in the solitary centre-forward berth – but how do the 26-year-old Brazilian's domestic statistics from the 2024/25 campaign compare to those of Scandinavian striker duo Gyokeres and Hojlund?
Miscellaneous Statistics
Swedish striker was a goalscoring menace; Hojlund wasn't
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of their respective campaigns, let’s take a look at their general statistics. All three line-leaders played north of 30 matches/2,000 minutes and so the sample size is enough to make an informed opinion of who should be Amorim’s focal point next season and beyond.
From a goalscoring perspective, Stockholm-born Gyokeres excelled by notching 1.25 goals per 90. An extremely impressive return, of course, but whether that could translate into English football shadows over his rampant goalscoring rate in 2024/25.
A custom image of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane Related
15 Best Strikers in World Football [Ranked]
Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe all feature in the top 15 strikers in world football.
Cunha, in comparison, scored 0.52 goals and Hojlund notched 0.18, which will be a concern given that’s his primary job. In terms of teeing up teammates, the Sporting CP ace was the most fruitful – 0.22 assists per 90 compared to Cunha’s 0.21. Elsewhere, Hojlund failed to grab an assist last season.
Gyokeres, Cunha and Hojlund - 24/25 Miscellaneous Statistics
Statistic (per 90)
Matches played
Starts
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Shooting Statistics
Man Utd's Hojlund flattered to deceive
Let’s not be apathetic and sit on the fence here: everybody knows of Gyokeres’ goalscoring exploits in Portugal – but what are the numbers behind his potency? For starters, the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion striker took 4.07 shots per 90, which was favourable compared to Cunha’s still impressive 3.81 and Hojlund’s 1.43.
He also, to no surprise, took the most shots on target and, to top it all off, his shot accuracy (52%) was the best of the triumvirate of centre forwards. Cunha’s 40% is the worst rate as Hojlund takes the silver medal with 40.6%. The latter’s shot tally, however, will be a cause for concern in the Old Trafford camp.
The other two choices are much more proactive in the final third. Cunha’s uncanny knack of taking shots from outside the box could be an interesting aspect of the Red Devils’ 2025/26 campaign. Perhaps only Bruno Fernandes is gifted, and somewhat brave, enough to strike from range.
Gyokeres, Cunha and Hojlund - 24/25 Shooting Statistics
Statistic (per 90)
Shots
Shots on Target
Shot Accuracy (%)
Average Shot Distance (yards)
xG (expected goals)
Goal and Shot Creation
Cunha and Gyokeres both looked to create in the final third
Being a centre-forward, in the modern era of the beautiful game, is more than just finding the back of the net, isn’t it? Do-it-all strikers are more commonplace; and Cunha, who can play in an array of positions, largely comes out on top.
Gyokeres may have taken the cake when it came to chalking up shot-creating and goal-creation actions (4.94 and 0.88 per 90, respectively), but the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man attempted – and more importantly, completed – the most passes.
That could be attributed to him usually being deployed on the left of a front three, but it does show that the Brazilian – who has penned a five-year deal with the Red Devils – is keen to be involved in build-up play, something that will improve them tenfold.
What stands Cunha out from the crowd, however, is the number of balls that he crossed into the box last term – 4.91 per 90, totally trumping that of Hojlund and Gyokeres. Should the latter striker also join, he could be the beneficiary of his pinpoint deliveries.
Gyokeres, Cunha and Hojlund - 24/25 Goal and Shot Creation
Statistic (per 90)
Shot-Creating Action
Goal-Creating Action
Passes Completed
Passes Attempted
Pass Completion Rate (%)
Through Balls
Crosses
Possession Statistics
Cunha's ball-carrying ability will give Man Utd a different edge
Manchester United need players who are comfortable on the ball – not only in central midfield but those stationed in the final third, where they have struggled to craft cute passages of play. And their first addition of the summer, Cunha, brings that in abundance.
In 2024/25, he took 54 touches per 90, with 2.11 of his take-ons being successful. Daring in nature, the Joao Pessoa-born ace also completed an eye-catching 3.29 carries into the final third. Manchester United forwards have historically existed to excite – and Cunha will certainly do that.
Ranking the best strikers in the Premier League right now featuring Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland Related
15 Best Strikers in the Premier League [Ranked]
Erling Haaland, Matheus Cunha and Alexander Isak all feature as the 15 best strikers in the Premier League right now are ranked.
In terms of dribbling with the ball, often in the tightest of spaces, that’s certainly not Gyokeres’ strong suit, nor is it Hojlund’s. In 2024/25, the former recorded 1.31 per 90, while the latter totted up a measly 0.58 as Premier League centre-backs often got the better of his inexperience.
Gyokeres’ fox-in-the-box nature was on show, too, as he took 9.10 touches in the penalty area – which is something that Amorim could really benefit from, as Hojlund’s 3.32 touches in the opposition’s danger area pale in comparison.
Gyokeres, Cunha and Hojlund - 24/25 Possession Statistics
Statistic (per 90)
Touches
Touches in Penalty Area
Successful Take-Ons
Take-On Success Rate (%)
Carries into Final Third
Conclusion
As alluded to, there are question marks over whether the goal-gobbling Gyokeres could fare in England’s top flight – but his goalscoring record speaks for itself, as do the positions he tends to pick up. The goals will follow, just perhaps at a lesser rate. Something the numbers do not reflect, however, is his struggles to operate against a low block – but his pre-existing relationship with Amorim could give Manchester United a different edge.
Cunha can definitely deputise in the centre-forward role but his statistics, especially those concerning his above-average ball-carrying skill, prove that he could be best-placed in one of the No.10 positions – perhaps alongside Gyokeres.
What is for certain is that Hojlund is not reliable enough for a team vying for European football. Not only is he not potent enough, but his off-the-ball work is, statistically, up to scratch. He could, however, learn from the dedication of Gyokeres. There’s also the interest in Victor Osimhen to consider, but that’s for another day.
All statistics per FBref - correct as of 10/06/2025