Ruben Amorim knows he needs a big summer transfer window if he is to turn around Manchester United’s fortunes with Matheus Cunha his only major signing amid interest in the likes of Bryan Mbeumo

Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha has signed for Man United £62.5m(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United endured a dire season, but the caveat throughout the season was that Ruben Amorim didn’t have his own players yet. He also hadn’t had the benefit of a pre-season, but none of those excuses can be used come August.

The Red Devils, who finished 15th last term, their worst showing since the early 1970s, have wasted no time in pursuing their targets this summer. Not all of them have got over the line, but their show of ambition underlines that they are fully behind Amorim.

Matheus Cunha has been signed from Wolves for £62.5million, but he is the only new face to officially arrive at Old Trafford. Liam Delap was on the club’s radar but he ultimately decided Chelsea were a better fit for him.

United’s lack of European football doesn’t seem as if it will halt their recruitment. A willingness to sell nearly every player in their squad is also set to aid their transfer budget.

Amorim’s 3-4-3 system didn’t lend itself to the players the Portuguese boss inherited in Manchester and several key positions need addressing. That is before the man in the dugout decides whether those on his books have what it takes to make the club a winning outfit once more.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim told he faces Man Utd sack – and it could come sooner than he thinksREAD MORE: Andre Onana’s cryptic response and Man Utd transfer stance as new exit route appears

Cunha is set to play in one of the two roles that sit behind the frontman. Who that will be still needs to be determined. Viktor Gyokeres has flirted with a move but doesn’t seem to be keen at present. It is clear that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee aren’t what the team need currently.

United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo is well documented. Brentford have rejected their opening offers with Tottenham, who now have Thomas Frank at the helm, hoping they can swoop in and seal a move for the Cameroonian. He’s just enjoyed the best year of his career and is tipped to move on, but still favours a switch to Manchester.

Bryan Mbeumo is a wanted man this summer(Image: Getty Images)

He, like Cunha, would likely thrive in one of the positions behind the frontman. Equally though Bruno Fernandes, the club’s talisman, has occupied one of those roles but may drop deeper to accommodate all the attacking talent that could be arriving in Manchester.

With Gyokeres favouring other destinations Amorim’s search for and out and out striker continues. Scoring goals was a well documented problem for the Red Devils and, after also missing out on Delap, Victor Osimhen could now come into play. The Nigerian’s time in Napoli is up.

He was pushed out of loan last term, scoring regularly at Galatasaray, and he’s turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia which underlines his desire to remain in Europe. Osimhen has just 12 months left on his deal meaning he could be available for less than his market value.

Man Utd’s XI could boast a number of new arrivals

At the other end of the pitch Andre Onana is still yet to convince despite having two years in between the sticks. He has continued to come up with errors and was even dropped by Amorim last term. Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez is a man who is linked with pastures new.

He appeared to say his goodbyes and cut an emotional figure on his last outing at Villa Park. Rumours have mounted that United are keen, and their interest is reciprocated by the Argentina No 1 himself whilst Monaco are understood to be keen on Onana.

In front of the goalkeeper, despite potentially wanting to bolster his defensive line, Amorim may have to stick with what he’s got. United ultimately don’t have a bottomless pit of cash and if they landed Cunha, Mbeumo, Osimhen and Martinez it would take them beyond the £200m mark.

Those signings could yet be aided by some significant departures with Alejandro Garnacho being among the most significant. Previously cited as a player for the long haul, he has since fallen down the pecking order and his attitude was called into question following his snub in the Europa League final.

Man Utd’s possible XI: Martinez; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Cunha, Mbeumo, Osimhen.

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