Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes
Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes
After such a disappointing 2024/25 season Manchester United had to hit the ground running in the summer transfer window and they have done just that.
Matheus Cunha's signing was confirmed on Sunday and Monday evening brought news that Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo wants to sign for United rather than the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham.
They say good news comes in threes and news broke on Tuesday morning that from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal to remain at the club.
Just under two weeks on from United's Europa League defeat to Tottenham, things are already looking rosier for Ruben Amorim next season.
Fernandes, Mbeumo and Cunha scored 56 goals between them this season which is a huge bonus already given United only scored 44 Premier League goals.
A new forward is on their list of priorities too which means even more goals should be added to their arsenal and Amorim has moved quickly to address a real problem area.
A goalkeeper, midfielder and wing-back are also on United's wanted list but they are arguably just one signing away from Amorim having his dream XI available to him.
An upgrade on Andre Onana may be sought if he doesn't prove himself next season but he is likely to start the 2025/26 campaign as the club's number one goalkeeper.
The back three of Leny Yoro (19), Matthijs de Ligt (25) and Lisandro Martinez (27) could be United's back three for years to come and the experience of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw in reserve, and the promise of youngsters Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson, means they are well stocked at the back.
Other than Fernandes, Amad was United's best player this season and he excelled in both attacking midfield and as a wing-back. The Ivorian international offers much more to United's attack in that role than Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui and that could become his new home in Amorim's side.
Patrick Dorgu was signed in the January transfer window and has proven his worth on the left-hand side.
The arrival of Cunha and Mbeumo would see those two players occupy the attacking midfield roles behind the forward and that would allow Fernandes to drop into a deeper-lying playmaker role.
Manuel Ugarte is an Amorim player and he could play a disruptor role alongside Fernandes at the base of midfield, while Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are able deputies in both of those midfield roles.
United still need to address their forward problem as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee don't score enough goals to lead the line going forward.
Viktor Gyokeres would be Amorim's ideal man but his price tag will be huge amid interest from all over Europe. Victor Osimhen can leave Napoli, though, and would be the ideal option off the back of a 37-goal season on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Manchester United's dream line-up: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Osimhen