Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have both enjoyed strong debut seasons at Manchester United but they still have a lot to learn from captain Bruno Fernandes to reach new levels.
Ineos will be delighted with their transfer business done last summer, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all making a positive impact on Manchester United’s 2025/26 season.
Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko are closing in on a goal target of 35 set by Gary Neville in the summer, and that is despite United playing a disappointing 40-match campaign this season.
All three new attacking signings feature in United’s top five scorers in 2025/26, but there is more that can be done to maximise their output in front of goal.
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Michael Carrick instructs his players during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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New Manchester United signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha pose together with team shirts prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
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Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are not creating enough out wide
United captain Fernandes dominates the ‘chances created’ table in the Premier League and he has done ever since his arrival in 2020.
As a central playmaker, the Portuguese star is often at the heart of every United attack. His 14 Premier League assists prove it.
Unfortunately, United’s new wide additions are not even close to Fernandes’ creative output. Mbeumo and Cunha only have three assists each in the Premier League, and United will need more chances arriving from out wide.
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Especially as Sesko’s biggest strength is aerially, so United need to be making the most of his 6ft 5in frame and his incredible jumping power.
On our Talking Points platform, one reader wrote: “It’s very unfortunate that the team had a good striker in Sesko, but there is very little feeding for him from wings. There are not enough crosses. Cunha and Mbeumo are only interested in taking shots by themselves. Kind of egotistic. They have to take a few lessons from Bruno in assisting the central forward.”
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Benjamin Sesko needs more service from out wide
Michael Carrick’s style of play at United has seen a return to a 4-4-2 shape, and it is Mbeumo and Cunha who have been playing out wide in recent weeks.
However, they were both signed to play as inside forwards under Ruben Amorim, so adapting to a more traditional winger role has been uncomfortable.
In the latest 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, Mbeumo and Cunha completed just one key pass each from their wide positions. In comparison, Fernandes completed eight.
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Sesko needs service from his wingers if he is going to fulfil his potential as a target man up front. Mbeumo and Cunha could do with taking notes from Fernandes when it comes to his chance creation, specifically his crossing.
United scored their equaliser against Newcastle through Casemiro and a Fernandes cross, and the winner against Crystal Palace was scored by Sesko which also came from a Fernandes cross.
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