Well, what a Summer transfer window 2025 had in store for us. Exciting, frustrating, busy, it certainly gave all the Youtube commentators plenty to talk about.
The club prioritised the forward line early on, with many fans crying out for a new long-term goalkeeper solution, and Ruben Amorim making no secret of his desire for another midfielder – which he did not get.
We got rid of the bomb squad though, finally, and do at least have some money in the bank for when the window re-opens.
But for now, transfer season is over, and whether or not Manchester United have plugged the holes that needed plugging will soon become clear. So who have we signed, why have we signed them, and what can we expect to see from them this season?
Matheus Cunha, 26, Forward – £62.5 Million
Signed early on in the window from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cunha was the first and smoothest deal of the summer. Manchester United activated a release clause in Cunha’s contract, and signed him for 5 years with a 1 year extension option, which means he could effectively spend the rest of his career with us if it works out.
A Brazil international who scored 33 times in 92 games for Wolves, plus 15 assists, Cunha was signed to add much needed dynamism in attack. With plenty of mobility off the ball as well as being a direct goal threat, Cunha brings verticality and pace between the lines and is suited to the transitions and high tempo forward play that Ruben Amorim likes.
He went straight into the first team as expected, and impressed in his first few games, although his penalty in that shootout against Grimsby was very poor, and he sustained an injury in the win against Burnley. Still, I think he has had a decent start, he clearly wants to be at the club, and provided he returns quickly from injury, he will be a key player this season.
Summary: First team starter who will slot into the advanced role behind the striker as well as providing goal contributions himself.
Diego Leon, 18, Left Back – £3.3 Million + Add Ons
The signing of Diego Leon went under the radar a bit because let’s face it, no one had any idea who he was. Signed for a 5 year initial contract from Cerro Porteño, the Paraguayan is hoped to be a long term full back solution, but not quite yet.
He is an attacking full back which should suit Amorim, and he has dribbling abilities and a decent instinct for goals too. He’s never going to be our top scorer, but he was getting a goal every 7 or 8 games for Cerro Porteño.
He’s only small and still quite raw, and obviously is yet to be tested in the Premier League, but we did see glimpses of his potential in pre-season. I expect him to get plenty of under-21 minutes and perhaps get a few first team run ons later in the season.
Summary: Will probably get a handful of minutes this season, but one to develop for the not too distant future.
Bryan Mbeumo, 25, Winger/Forward – £65 Million + Add Ons
The saga of the Summer for United was Bryan Mbeumo. We wanted him, he wanted United, but the deal with Brentford took over a month to complete. We got him in the end though, and on a 5 year deal with a 1 year optional extension.
I think Mbeumo will be the star signing of 2025. He was brought in as we wanted a Premier League proven wide attacker with a record of scoring and creativity. With 70 goals and 51 assists for Brentford in 242 games, he definitely offers that, especially after hitting 20 league goals last season. He has already scored twice for us in 4 games, once against Grimsby and once against Burnley.
Mbeumo is known for his dribbling a close control skills, as well as his goal scoring ability from wide areas. He seems to have a fantastic attitude and is another player who clearly loves the club, and I can’t see him being anything other than a major success for us.
Summary: Key player, crucial wide threat in creating and scoring, and a perfect example of a professional to younger players at the club.
Benjamin Šeško, 22, Striker – £66.3 Million + Add ons
After our woeful goal scoring record last season, a new striker was critical. I still feel bad for poor old Rasmus, but let’s face it, he was floundering.
Manchester United left it fairly late, but we finally got our guy late in the window, just in time for the opening game against Arsenal. Sesko has been eased in gently having had no pre-season, and still needs to get back to match fitness, only coming on as a sub in the league so far, although he did start for the Grimsby game. However, he is yet to break his duck.
Why did we buy him? Manchester United needed a powerful, aerially dominant striker who could lead the line, take initiative, and not get bullied by elite Premier League defenders. Sesko’s style is perfect for this on paper. He has a very physical presence, his data for aerial duels is great, and his goal scoring record in Bundesliga as well as internationally is fantastic.
He is only young though, and the transition from German to English football has proved difficult in the past, so it’s hard to guess how well Sesko will do in England. He has a 5 year contract.
Summary: Very promising striker with a great record, but unlikely to easily replicate those numbers immediately at United. I predict a respectable first season where he is rotated in and out.
Senne Lammens, 23, Goalkeeper – £18.1 Million + Add ons
Signed on the final day of the window, Senne Lammens also agreed to a 5 year contract, but it’s unclear what Amorim has planned for him. Bayinder seems like Amorim’s first choice over Onana, who stumbles from one calamity to the next, but the Turkish keeper isn’t exactly instilling the fan base with confidence either. Is Lammens really their replacement?
He’s only really played one full season of top flight football, and with respect, it was in Belgium for Royal Antwerp. However, he boasts an 81.4% save percentage and an unbelievable 14.5 goals prevented (that’s 14.5 more than average) from last season, and at 6’4 he is taller than Onana and only a little shorter than Bayinder. He’s certainly going to be competition for them both.
With Onana presumably away at AFCON over Christmas, Manchester United could spread goalkeeping duty between all three keepers this season.
Lammens is an agile shot stopper with good reflexes for penalties, and crucially, he is calm, composed, and seems very mature for his age. He’s also comfortable playing out from the back with both feet, although distribution is an area for improvement.
Summary: Untested but likely to compete for immediate starts given the form of Onana and Bayinder. Might end up as a very long term solution between the sticks.