Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are far from “failures” of the transfer window, but they’re starting to become victims of a familiar problem at Man Utd.
Most of Manchester United’s best wins this season have been powered by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, in different ways.
Be it Mbeumo’s big-game nature or Cunha’s ability to get a rise out of the opposition and his long-range thunderbolts, United wouldn’t be third without the duo.
However, it is becoming increasingly clear in recent games that they have become victims of a familiar problem at Old Trafford. They need to fight it out and dig in.
Matheus Cunha vies with Anthony Elanga during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, in 2026.
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images
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Bryan Mbeumo looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo’s familiar problem
When Cunha and Mbeumo signed for United, it was seen as a coup because the club were getting two genuinely quality Premier League players.
Their performance soon vindicated that faith as they needed no adjustment period, hitting the ground running from the off.
However, it’s easy to forget that after nearly 75% of the season, United have already broken the promise they would have made to both, while convincing them to sign.
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Both players did their best work behind the striker, operating in pockets of space and ghosting into the box for goals.
That position vanished with Ruben Amorim’s sacking, and despite Omar Berrada’s best efforts to convince Man Utd fans that players are no longer brought for a manager, their adaptability under Carrick surfaces a familiar problem.
In Carrick’s 4-2-3-1, they have been stationed as traditional wingers, and the team’s lack of width has seen them both pushed high and wide, when their natural game is to operate in the same spaces as Bruno Fernandes.
There have still been moments of inspiration, but that is more down to their quality rather than feeling comfortable with their roles.
Neither is a player who likes to hug the touchline, but it’s a job they’re having to do with the team, summing up a familiar problem for the club.
United have again bought two players on the premise which got shredded less than six months after their signing.
Cunha and Mbeumo can dig in and free themselves
Fortunately for United, this is not as brutal as someone like Ruben Amorim coming and freezing out Kobbie Mainoo.
Matheus Cunha has been compared to Dwight Yorke – Do you see it?
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“Cunha’s got that ability, we were very fortunate to play with Yorkie, he could drop back, play in behind, almost like a 10 role.
“Cunha’s ability in terms of his shooting from outside the box, he’s got the pass, he can run in behind. It’s good to see him back.”
Quinton Fortune
Dwight Yorke and Matheus Cunha split image
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Cunha and Mbeumo can still play their preferred roles, even if their preferred position no longer exists.
For that, they just need to dig in and fight out this spell because a perfect storm of disasters has occurred.
Players like Patrick Dorgu, who provide natural width, got injured, while Amad has struggled to find form in terms of pure goals and assists.
Luke Shaw looks like he’s playing with one hand tied behind his back, and Diogo Dalot has never been a final third threat.
Once this team gets Dorgu back or signs a traditional winger, Cunha and Mbeumo will have a much easier time of things, doing what they’re good at.
For now, they have become the victims of a familiar issue at Man Utd – a lack of squad planning.
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