With Ruben Amorim out the door, Jason Wilcox and INEOS will finally get their wish at Manchester United, having reportedly pleaded with the Portuguese coach to shift to a 4-3-3 in recent weeks and months.
The problem? The Old Trafford hierarchy have assembled a squad that simply doesn't appear suited to that approach, notably leaving new head coach Michael Carrick with just four senior central midfielders to choose from.
Man-Utd-Carrick-Predicted-XI
A bigger issue lies on the left flank, however, having overseen the exits of a string of wingers last summer, namely Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
Those departures were no doubt needed, but the lack of a replacement has now left the side looking unbalanced, not least with Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and young Shea Lacey all favouring the right-wing berth.
Matheus Cunha might be a viable option off the left, although he too isn't an out-and-out winger. A new addition is needed.
Man Utd could have the chance to sign dream left-winger
The absence of Amad and Mbeumo played a key part in Darren Fletcher's selection last time out, although it was stark the lack of attacking options in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, with United simply looking blunt with Mason Mount and Cunha on either flank.
Matheus-Cunha-Man-Utd-Newcastle
The Brazilian typically operated as a number ten or makeshift striker back at Molineux, having repeatedly looked to come inside against the Seagulls, rather than operate as a chalk on his boots style winger.
For a club of Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and co, that deployment simply isn't a long-term venture, with it having been no surprise that the Red Devils were keen to land new Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth to fill that left-sided void.
The Ghanaian is already dazzling at the Etihad, but no matter, with Caught Offside suggesting that there is a slim chance INEOS could land Paris Saint-Germain sensation Bradley Barcola this summer.
Indeed, the report suggests that the Ligue 1 outfit have explored the prospect of a swap deal involving the Frenchman and the aforementioned Rashford, should the latter man return from his loan spell at Barcelona at the end of the season.
It is viewed as 'highly unlikely' that the 28-year-old would be interested in moving to France, although should a dream stay at Camp Nou come to an end, it surely can't be ruled out.
Why Barcola signing could be bad news for Cunha
The future of Bruno Fernandes remains in doubt at Old Trafford, although for as long as the Portuguese genius remains in Manchester, he will be the go-to figure in that number ten role in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
With Mbeumo likely to take up the role on the right, it would leave Cunha as the current most likely option off the left, albeit with the Brazilian far more suited centrally.
The £62.5m signing may well find himself out of the side then if a genuine winger like Barcola is signed, with the 23-year-old undoubtedly "one of the best left-wingers in Europe", as described by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson
PSG winger Bradley Barcola
That status is more than merited considering the heights he reached under Luis Enrique last season, racking up 42 goals and assists in 64 games in all competitions for the Champions League-winning side.
That included 25 goal involvements in Ligue 1, eclipsing Cunha's own return of 21 in the Premier League, with Barcola again edging his attacking counterpart in 2025/26.
Despite not being at his breathtaking best, the former Lyon starlet has five goals to his name already in the league, ahead of Cunha's return of four in his debut campaign at United.
There may well be a real difference in quality between those two leagues, although Barcola's talent is not without question, having also compared favourably to wingers and attacking midfielders across Europe's top five leagues.
LWs in Europe's top 5 leagues - 24/25
Player
Raphinha
Barcola
Vini Jr
Luis Diaz
Vincenzo Grifo
Rafael Leao
Moses Simon
Davitashvili
Baena
Heung-min Son
Stats via Transfermarkt
As per FBref, he notably ranks in the top 5% for assists per 90, as well as in the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, regularly weaving his way into the opposition box at will.
Cunha, meanwhile, ranks in just the bottom 23% and the top 37% for those same two metrics, respectively, while also failing behind with regard to interceptions made per 90 (0.6 vs 0.71), highlighting Barcola's superior ability at leading the press from the front.
Barcola vs Liverpool wingers 2024-25 (timeless)
For far too long, amid the woes of Sancho and co, the flanks have been a real issue for United, although with Mbeumo beginning to flourish already on the right, Barcola could well repeat the trick off the left.
Quite what that all means for Cunha? Well, the Amorim favourite needs to showcase that he really can be a catalyst and talisman in this team.
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[No Cunha & Dalot; "wizard" in new role: Carrick's best Man Utd XI predicted](https://www.footballfancast.com/no-cunha-dalot-amad-in-new-role-predicting-carrick-man-utd-xi/ "No Cunha & Dalot; "wizard" in new role: Carrick's best Man Utd XI predicted")
A look at how Manchester United could line up under Michael Carrick.