Matheus Cunha’s move from Wolves has been announced. But the forward is not the only attacking talent still keen for Ruben Amorim’s project. Bryan Mbeumo’s decision to pursue an Old Trafford move from Brentford – despite other elite clubs in the running – is a positive sign.
Captain Bruno Fernandes has turned down the temptation of a money-fuelled Saudi Arabia move that could have given United more money to rebuild the team. The project is far from being alive again, but it’s a start.
“Cunha and Mbeumo have Premier League experience, and are the right type,” said Gary Neville. But that is not the only reason those two have been categorised as the answer to United’s problems.
Putting the ball in the back of the net proved to be an issue for United last season. They ranked sixth for chances created but finished second bottom for converting shots into goals, while they were also fourth bottom for shot accuracy.
Overall, United failed to score in 15 Premier League matches last season – only relegated Southampton and Leicester managed more. Eleven of those matches were under Amorim.
They also had the second-worst Expected Goals underperformance record in the division, with the numbers saying they should have scored at least nine more goals than their final league tally of 44.
This is where Cunha and Mbeumo could help – if last season’s performances are anything to go by.
As United floundered in front of goal, Mbeumo was the league’s best overperformer in terms of xG. Using the same process as above, the Bees forward scored seven more goals than he should have done, with Cunha ranking third in the same category.
Cunha and Mbeumo could therefore bring that clinical edge that United are missing. But would they go straight into the team – and if so, where?
Will Cunha – not Bruno – be the key cog in Amorim’s team?
Amorim has repeatedly said he will not deviate from his way of playing via the 3-4-2-1 formation. The plus point for Cunha is that Vitor Pereira used the same system at Wolves in the second half of last season.
Cunha turned out in the ‘left No 10’ role in Pereira’s system and while the forward’s 15-goal league season saw him strike consistently across the campaign, it arguably hit top gear under Pereira.
Cunha scored in Pereira’s first two matches in charge from that position, while he then hit five goals across seven straight games between the start of February and April.
The issue with Cunha playing that role in United colours? Bruno Fernandes. He is the most common appearance maker in that role
