Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Bryan Mbeumo but plenty more transfer activity is expected at Old Trafford following their poor 2024-25 campaign
Ruben Amorim singled out Manchester United’s midfield as a potential area of concern after the Red Devils played out an uneventful 0-0 draw with Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday.
United jet off on their pre-season tour of the United States on Tuesday but kicked off their pre-season campaign with a match against their bitter rivals at the Strawberry Arena. There was little to savour, though, as both sides laboured to a goalless draw.
Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon, United’s only summer signings, both played in the first half and caught the eye.
But with United in need of more quality additions before the new Premier League campaign kicks off next month, Amorim gave an honest assessment post-match where he pointed out the ‘lack of pace’ in United’s engine room.
He said: “It was a pre-season game. The gaps between our sectors was sometimes too big.
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“We have a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park and you can feel it is hard to win and bring the ball. But we created chances.”
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes played together in midfield during the first half with Cunha and Toby Collyer ahead of them in the dual No 10 roles, though Collyer and Amad switched roles later in the half. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte was United’s midfield pairing for the second period.
United are expected to target a new No 9 now that they have finally agreed terms with Brentford for the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo, who is expected to undergo a medical and finalise his move over the weekend.
But Amorim’s comments could be a hint that United will now focus on adding to their midfield options after focusing on their attack.
In Cunha and Mbeumo, United have secured two of the Premier League’s top forwards from last season and Amorim was pleased with what he saw from Cunha in his first appearance for the club.
He said: “I think Matheus Cunha showed what we need. That he is a player when he receives the ball between the lines can be really aggressive in the direction of the opponents.
“We watched that during last season in a different team so we expect the same thing. Of course you can see the connection between him and Bruno is still not there but it’s going to be a good connection.”
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