The need for new attackers at Manchester United this summer is massively evident given their failures within the final third throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes ended the season as the club’s joint top scorers in the Premier League, both tied with just eight goals, with no player managing to hit double figures.
Main strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee only managed to score seven league goals between them, highlighting the lack of goalscoring threat in Ruben Amorim’s side.
Matheus Cunha has already been brought to Old Trafford this summer, but the Brazilian will need added talent alongside him if he is to help the club rise up the Premier League table in 2025/26.
Numerous talents have already been touted with potential moves to join the Red Devils, including multiple stars who could improve the current situation at the Theatre of Dreams.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
Bryan Mbeumo has been the player who has been most linked with a move to join United this summer, but despite their long-standing interest, no deal has yet been agreed for the 25-year-old.
Amorim’s side have submitted two separate bids for the Cameroonian international, but neither have met the Bees’ £65m asking price, with a deal currently not progressing in the right direction.
However, another name has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins a key option for Amorim, according to GIVEMESPORT.
They claim that the 29-year-old would be open to a switch to Old Trafford this summer, but the club would have to agree on a figure for his services, with Unai Emery’s side demanding £60m this window.
It also states that Amorim sees the England international as an excellent option to lead his frontline next season, understandably so given his tally of 17 goals across all competitions in 2024/25.
Why United’s £60m target would be Mbeumo’s dream CF
As previously mentioned, Mbeumo is a player who is of huge admiration to the hierarchy at Old Trafford, with a deal desperately needing to be agreed for his services this window.
Given the length of the negotiations, it would be a disaster to miss out on his signature, with the 25-year-old adding the key attacking threat they’ve been lacking in recent months.
His tally of 20 league goals last season is over two times higher than the highest tally of anyone in the current squad, handing the side the clinical edge they want during the off-season.
The 25-year-old has also managed to provide for other players in attacking areas, registering 1.8 chances created per 90, along with 1.4 successful crosses, having the tools to provide any centre-forward with the opportunities to succeed.
Such figures would certainly aid Watkins should he also move to Old Trafford this window, with the Englishman able to deliver alongside the Cameroonian in Amorim’s side.
Watkins, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by Statman Dave, registered 16 league goals, certainly benefitting from the chances created by Mbeumo behind him.
His tally of 1.4 shots on target per 90, at an accuracy rate of 44%, highlights the threat he poses in front of goal, certainly able to transform the club’s fortunes in attacking areas throughout 2025/26.
Games played
38
Goals & assists
24
Goals per shot on target
0.4
Progressive passes
1.1
Pass accuracy
72%
Progressive carries
1.9
Carries into final third
1.3
Aerials won
1.9
Fouls won
1.2
However, he’s also showcased he can return the favour to other attackers, creating 1.6 chances per 90, which could allow Mbeumo to also build on his 20-goal season with the Bees this time around.
The prospect of the pair linking up together at United is certainly one the fanbase should be excited by, offering huge upgrades on the talent currently at the manager’s disposal.
Whilst deals for both players would likely cost a small fortune, it would be figures that would be worth every penny if they could fire the side back towards their former glory next season.
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