Matheus Cunha tries to keep possession from Bryan Mbeumo during a clash between Wolves and Brentford.
Bryan Mbeumo (left) could soon be joining Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford.
Manchester United cannot be accused of lacking ambition at the start of this summer's transfer window.
After announcing they had reached an agreement with Wolves to sign for £62.5million on June 1, United then submitted an opening offer for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo. They offered £45m up front and an additional £10m in add-ons.
Brentford swiftly rejected opening offer for the Cameroonian, but talks between the two clubs continued amid Mbeumo's hunger to seal a move to Old Trafford this summer.
United have now submitted a second offer in excess of £60m for the 25-year-old. Despite firm interest from Tottenham Hotspur, who recently appointed former Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their new head coach, Mbeumo's heart is set on a move to United.
Having finished 15th in the table last season, scoring 44 goals and recording a goal difference of -10, United have been left with no choice but to prioritise strengthening their attack.
Cunha was pinpointed as their top target several months ago and he, like Mbeumo, was hungry to get a move to Old Trafford finalised. The deal was formally completed almost a fortnight ago and the Brazilian has signed a five-year deal.
A specialist playmaker, Cunha is expected to occupy the left-sided No.10 position in 3-4-2-1 set-up.
Cunha was one of the Premier League's most exciting players to watch last term, scoring 15 goals and registering six assists in just 33 appearances.
Goals were lacking from United's attack last term, highlighted by their tally of just 44 in the league, meaning Amorim is understandably desperate to add goals and creativity to his forward line. In Cunha, United have recruited a player who can provide both.
Matheus Cunha has joined Manchester United for £62.5million. (Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
In addition to scoring 15 goals and getting six assists in the league last season, he scored 12 goals and registered seven assists in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. He has proven he can deliver the goods consistently.
The same can be said of . The former Troyes man scored 20 goals in the Premier League last term, only being outscored by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah (29), Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (23) and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (22).
Mbeumo, who is a versatile operator, capable of playing out wide or through the middle, is expected to occupy the right-sided No.10 role in Amorim's system, It means United, should they also add the striker they are in such desperate need of, will have an exciting attack next season.
United's attack was one of the bluntest in the league last term. Adding Mbeumo and a striker to the addition of Cunha could transform it into one of the division's strongest.
Manchester United hope to wrap up a deal for Bryan Mbeumo. (Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images.)
United have not had a player score 20 league goals or more in a season since Robin van Persie plundered 26 in the 2012/13 season.
United last had two players score 15 league goals or more in a single season back in the Covid-hit 2019/20 campaign when Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial helped themselves to 17 goals each. If Cunha and Mbeumo were to get 17 goals each next season, they would instantly rank among United's best signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Just getting into double figures would count as a success.
No transfer is guaranteed to work out, but United are certainly targeting players of the right profile to fix their biggest problem.