Can Bryan Mbeumo solve Man Utd’s attacking woes this season?
Manchester United’s pursuit of goals has been a central theme this summer.
After a dismal Premier League campaign, United’s meager 44 goals – a paltry 1.15 per game – marked their lowest scoring rate in the top flight since 1973-74.
Bryan Mbeumo’s potential £65m arrival would bring their spending on attacking talent to £127.5m this summer, following the acquisition of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
With both players primarily operating in the number 10 role, questions arise: Do United still require a traditional center forward, or can Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee thrive with enhanced support?
Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers, notes: “United’s attack clearly needs a revamp. Mbeumo’s signing reflects their need for a reliable player in all facets of the game, both offensively and defensively, with a strong work ethic, energy, and goal-scoring ability.”
“Mbeumo certainly comes at a premium, but that’s the market value for a proven Premier League performer.”
“They’re targeting players who are ready-made, not projects. Mbeumo and Cunha fit that profile.”
“The lingering question is whether United still need a classic number nine, considering Rasmus Hojlund’s insufficient goal tally last season.”
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Following United’s underwhelming Premier League season, a consensus emerged: their goal-scoring drought needed urgent attention.
Many initially anticipated the arrival of a new center forward.
United’s strong interest in Liam Delap – who was available for £30m from Ipswich before joining Chelsea – suggested that key figures at Old Trafford shared this view.
However, with over £120m already spent on two players who excel behind the main striker, questions are being asked as to whether they will bring in a number nine or if – despite huge reservations – they stick with Hojlund.
The rationale behind the latter would be straightforward.
To facilitate further acquisitions, they need to generate additional revenue, and – apart from sell-on clauses for Anthony Elanga and Alvaro Carreras – they have struggled to do so.
As such, a substantial bid for Aston Villa’s England international Ollie Watkins appears unlikely, and the free-agent market offers limited options, with the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin and veteran Jamie Vardy posing considerable risks.
While some deemed it an overpayment at the time, the recruitment team under then-manager Erik ten Hag sanctioned a £72m deal for Hojlund from Atalanta.
Ten Hag lauded Hojlund’s “huge potential” at the time, but stressed he needed to “prove it”. To date, he has yet to do so.
He only managed four league goals, with understudy Zirkzee contributing a mere three.
Notably, Hojlund’s goals stemmed from chances valued at a meager 5.2 expected goals (xG), highlighting the dearth of opportunities he received – or created for himself.
Sutton argues: “Have United provided him with sufficient chances and opportunities? The answer is no.”
“However, we must also assess whether he has performed adequately. Has he ever been a prolific goalscorer? That’s the lingering doubt I’ve discussed with United fans.”
“That is not to say he doesn’t have time on his side, and his attitude is good too.”
But in a summer during which Carreras joined Real Madrid – fulfilling the promise many in the club’s academy felt he had before they were overruled by Ten Hag and others who believed the full-back was not quick enough to excel at the highest level – are they ready to give up on Hojlund just yet?
The 22-year-old’s contract runs until 2028. Selling him now would yield a significantly lower return than their initial investment.
As the Premier League opener against Arsenal approaches, numerous questions linger at Old Trafford.
Among the most pressing is whether to pursue another number nine or place their faith in Hojlund, hoping he thrives alongside Cunha and Mbeumo.
Regardless of the striker dilemma’s resolution, the acquisitions of Mbeumo and Cunha undoubtedly bolster United’s attacking options.
Last season, only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland surpassed Mbeumo’s 20 Premier League goals.
However, it marked his first double-digit goal tally in a top-flight league, and his expected goals (xG) of 12.3 – which he outperformed by 7.7 goals – may prove difficult to replicate.
Over the past five Premier League seasons, only 14 players have exceeded their xG by five goals or more.
Sutton cautions: “He has excelled at Brentford, but Manchester United presents a different challenge. Unlike Brentford, where expectations are tempered, United demands immediate performance.”
“He offers experience, clinical finishing, and valuable versatility, capable of playing as a central striker or on the wing, cutting inside from the right onto his left foot.”
“Having had one exceptional season with impressive numbers, the question is whether he can sustain that level.”
The Cameroon international’s acquisition extends beyond mere goal-scoring prowess.
Mbeumo prefers operating on the right behind a striker, with Cunha anticipated on the left, but his versatility allows him to play centrally, providing another solution to the striker conundrum.
He topped the charts for touches per 90 minutes among players with over 15 goals last season, highlighting his involvement in play, and ranks among the league’s most effective ball carriers.
He ranked 17th in assists (seven) but led the Premier League in expected assists (xA) with 9.3.
Coupled with Cunha’s creativity, this can only bode well for whoever occupies the central striker role.
“Consistency in those forward positions is what United are striving for, because they have not had it with, say, Alejandro Garnacho or Antony,” said Sutton.
“They are maybe thinking an older, more experienced player, who is more reliable, is what they need. That’s Mbeumo – he fits into Ruben Amorim’s system and he fits the bill as proven Premier League quality too.
“Amorim wants a harmonious camp as well as a consistent performer, not someone who is a 3/10 one week and a 9/10 the next.
“That’s what Manchester United have really been lacking and the numbers Mbeumo provided could be really important. That is the part of the jigsaw they have got to really solve if they want to be challenging at the top end of the table.”
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