Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have both benefited Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim in a potentially unexpected way around another key player.
Matheus Cunha arrived at Old Trafford from Wolves in June and Bryan Mbeumo left Brentford and completed his stunning move to Manchester United in July.
Mbeumo has made an immediate impact on the Red Devils and the 26-year-old former Brentford ace has been in a stunning run of form this season.
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Ruben Amorim on Matheus Cunha
Cunha is a maverick. Cunha does things that are hard to find in some players because he plays with the ball, but he has an aura that can do something to opponent’s heads and that is really important.
The United summer signing has netted an impressive six times and registered an assist in 12 matches across all competitions for Ruben Amorim’s men.
Cunha, unlike Mbeumo, has not posted the same impressive numbers in the early stages of his United career, but the former Wolves star has shown his quality.
The 26-year-old Brazilian forward has only scored once in 11 matches in all competitions for United, despite producing solid performances for Amorim’s side.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim identifies one clear reason why ‘really smart’ Casemiro has ‘improved’ at Man Utd this season
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha celebrate Harry Maguire scoring during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Paul Merson singles out Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for their knock-on effect on Man Utd midfielder Casemiro
Manchester United’s tactical system under Ruben Amorim has finally benefited from the attacking input of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the final third so far.
The Red Devils have shown weaknesses in other parts of Amorim’s system, but there is no denying that United now have a spark in their attack this season.
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Paul Merson thinks that Mbeumo and Cunha’s impact at Old Trafford has had a knock-on effect for United midfielder Casemiro for all of the right reasons.
“Casemiro looks confident now and it is making a huge difference to Manchester United,” the Sky Sports pundit said in his Sportskeeda column.
Casemiro has been excellent in 2025/26 so far, here are his stats after 11 games
Casemiro stats after 11 games - Sofascore
Casemiro stats after 11 games – Sofascore
“I don’t want to take credit away from home, he’s won five Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, but he’s benefitting from the arrival of Cunha and Mbeumo.
“Teams are now aware of the threat that United have while going forward, so they are not keen on opening the game up.
“It has taken some pressure off Casemiro with teams constantly being bothered about the threat of those two players on the break.
“When the people around you start playing well, the mix becomes a good cocktail!”
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim’s ‘feeling’ was Man Utd had ‘world-class player’ before season started, ‘small things’ are now showing
Casemiro is thriving at Man Utd and the entire narrative around the Brazil international has changed
The numbers do not lie with Casemiro’s role at United this season, with the former Real Madrid star netting three times and picking up an assist in 10 matches so far.
Casemiro has been written off time and time again during his United career, following his sensational first season at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag.
However, the 33-year-old Brazil international has emerged from the ashes like a phoenix and the narrative has changed around his importance at United.
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Casemiro is out of contract with United in 2026, but it is hardly surprising that some United fans would even consider triggering his extension based on this season.
The former Los Blancos midfielder does have his weaknesses, with Casemiro only playing the full 90 minutes in one of his 10 Premier League matches this season.
However, Casemiro has looked more assertive in the two-man midfield pivot with Bruno Fernandes and has impressed as the 2025-26 campaign has progressed.