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£159m tipping point, Bryan Mbeumo transfer demand - Man United must act fast as fresh deadline looms

Bryan Mbuemo is set to arrive at Manchester United while Alejandro Garnacho is likely to be on his way out

It might not feel like it but the new Premier League season is just 50 days away.

It represents a fresh start for Manchester United after the domestic woes of the 2024-25 campaign. The Reds finished a dismal 15th in the table and missed the chance to save their season when losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final.

United have set a target of being a top six side next term and Ruben Amorim knows a strong start is crucial as he prepares for his first full season in charge.

The Reds have acted swiftly in the transfer market to sign Mathues Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million and are set to complete a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo in the coming days.

That would take spending past the £120m mark and United will then turn their attention to sales as they seek to offload unwanted quartet Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony.

Shifting those four on, and recouping significant income, will help United's quest to sign a new centre forward while the Reds may look at other areas of the squad ahead of the window closing on September 1.

We take a look at three key aspects of the next seven weeks.

Transfer talk

Getting Mbeumo over the line in time for the start of pre-season would be a significant step for United.

Having him and Cunha in the building early allows the maximum time possible to integrate them into the squad and for Amorim to plot a path for both in the first team.

The duo seem set to occupy the two number 10 roles but that has a knock-on impact elsewhere and having a full summer to fine tune the line-up would be a real positive for the Reds boss.

Sales question

United have made it clear they want to shift four first teamers.

Rashford, Sancho, Antony and Garnacho have no future at Old Trafford but moving them on, and achieving the desired fees, is easier said than done.

Garnacho has admirers and his ability and talent mean plenty would be willing to pay for his services, while Rashford and Antony enjoyed productive loan spells in the second half of last season that have created something of a market for the pair.

Chelsea opted not to turn Sancho's loan permanent and he is being linked with a move to Turkey.

The issue for United is they are in a weak bargaining position with everyone fully aware they are desperate to offload. That makes driving the price up with potential suitors difficult. How much United are able to rake in from the four could go a long way to defining the success of the summer.

Gift of time

Amorim will be keen to maximise pre-season with his squad to fine tune his style and tactics with the volume of games last season offering precious little time on the training pitch.

United are now set for a first pre-season under the Portuguese coach while the absence of European football could prove a blessing in disguise if it allows Amorim and his coaching staff time to get their methods implented.

Deals for Cunha and Mbuemo would reshape the squad and leave United pretty close to an XI Amorim would want. There remain a couple of gaps in the squad but there is plenty to work with and plenty of time to work.

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