A two-image graphic displaying a photo of Ruben Amorim on the left and a cropped section of a Manchester United starting XI graphic on the right.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is desperate for new arrivals.
Manchester United will step up their pre-season preparations when they face Leeds United in Stockholm in their opening friendly on Saturday.
Unless the situation drastically changes this week, head coach will only take two new faces to Scandinavia with him. arrived from Wolves last month before Diego Leon finalised his switch from Cerro Porteno just under a fortnight ago.
In an ideal world, Amorim would have loved to have got through the door by now as well. However, negotiations with Brentford remain ongoing.
United hope to make progress with their pursuit of the Cameroonian this week and they remain hopeful he will be signed in time for the upcoming tour of the United States. The squad will fly to Chicago next Tuesday.
United have prioritised attacking signings this summer and want to sign Mbeumo and a centre-forward in addition to Cunha. However, United need to sell players in order to bring in new faces.
Although the likes of Tyrell Malacia, , Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony are waiting in the departure lounge in search of an exit, United are yet to receive a concrete offer for any of them. Patience will be key.
When the summer transfer window opened on June 1, United set a target of a minimum of five signings: three attackers, a midfielder and a goalkeeper. Unsurprisingly, attacking signings have taken priority.
As it stands, Cunha is the only new face who will be guaranteed a spot in the starting XI come the start of the Premier League season next month. Mbeumo will also demand the same treatment if he eventually secures a move to Old Trafford.
With that said, if United land Mbeumo in the coming days or weeks, he and Cunha will go straight into the starting XI to face Arsenal on the opening day of the season in just over a month's time. Cunha is a guaranteed starter as the left-sided No.10, but Mbeumo's starting position is less clear cut.
Matheus Cunha was a top target for Manchester United this summer. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
The 25-year-old, who scored 20 Premier League goals last term, will be forced to adapt to a new formation at Old Trafford, but he is a realistic candidate to play as either the right-sided No.10 or out wide as the right wing-back.
If Mbeumo is unleashed as the right-sided No.10 by Amorim, Amad should start as the right wing-back. If the former is preferred on the flank, Amad will play as the No.10.
Should United land Mbeumo, they will be two thirds of the way towards developing their attack. They desperately want a striker to come in and spearhead their attack, meaning Rasmus Hojlund, should he remain at the club this summer, will be demoted to the bench.
As things currently stand, the Dane is still United's chief striker. However, he will face competition from fellow countryman Chido Obi this pre-season.
If United can get Mbeumo and a striker through the door, the only other area in Amorim's starting XI that will be in desperate need of attention will be the centre of midfield. The Reds have made no secret of their desire to sign a midfielder this summer, but the characteristics of that player are shaping up to be quite important.
Cunha's addition to the squad means captain is increasingly likely to operate as a midfielder more often than not in 2025/26. He regularly dropped into the engine room in the second half of last season and was arguably more influential than he was previously as a No.10.
Ruben Amorim is only a few signings away from his best XI.
Having a player as attack-minded as Fernandes in one of the two No.8 positions means United must strike the right balance in midfield. Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are the current contenders to partner the skipper, but there is an obvious need for fresh blood amid Ugarte's struggles on the ball, Mainoo being too attack-minded to complement Fernandes and Casemiro's decline over the last two years.
If United can find the right midfielder to partner Fernandes, Amorim's ideal XI will be in good shape. Of course, other areas have room for improvement, but it is unrealistic to suggest every position can be upgraded this summer.
If United can land themselves a midfielder, a striker and Mbeumo by the end of the window on September 1, the summer will be considered a success. However, much of it will depend on sales coming to fruition in the coming weeks.