There is no doubt about the fact that manager Ruben Amorim got his wish in the summer transfer window, with the club splashing out around £230 million on new signings – including (when all fit), what could be a very exciting, new-look attack.
At the moment though, Amorim’s body language doesn’t appear to look like that of someone getting a good night’s sleep in a quality bed, like one of Simba’s single mattresses for example. Instead, after a below average start to the new season, he looks quite hunched and could well need kinks working out. Of him and his team.
Benjamin Sesko is a striker who has world class potential and thrived in the Bundesliga last season, though isn’t at the level of say, an Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres or Alexander Isak. With the right tutelage and players around him on the pitch, he could be though.
Fellow new signing, Matheus Cunha, on his day, is unplayable and looks like a superb option as one of two narrow players behind Sesko, while Bryan Mbuemo as the other is a great signing – he also offers the option to drift wide as well as make runs in behind Sesko. If Amorim can get this type of tri-telepathy working, then this could be a similar United to when Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez were partnered in attack.
Reinforcements Could Be Needed In Midfield
Reportedly, the club tried in vain to sign Brighton’s next box-to-box talent (they seem to have an endless conveyor belt, don’t they?!), Carlos Baleba, though their interest was quickly spurned. He is another who has the potential to reach that world class level and in a similar mould to ex-Seagull Moses Caicedo who Chelsea broke the British transfer record for last year.
The club doesn’t seem to have that robust type of all-action player either, so he could be a suitable upgrade. Bruno Fernandes still appears to be carrying the team – he is a class act, though he is over 30 and the club needs to be thinking long-term.
Mason Mount could be a potential successor, though injuries have curtailed his United career and there appears to be a question of whether he is good enough. Both Kobbie Mainoo (for now) and Manuel Ugarte don’t really look like anything other than squad players
If United have the required spark up front (Joshua Zirkzee in time, could become a useful rotation option for Cunha or Mbuemo), then deploying two quality box-to-box midfielders (which are rare these days) behind could give the side the dynamism that Amorim had while at Sporting Lisbon.
Are Defensive Recruits Needed?
It is probably surprising to some fans that at least another centre-back wasn’t brought in. there are high hopes for French teenager Leny Yoro, who looks the real deal, though probably needs two quality players in front of him to learn from.
Both wing-back berths appear to be problem positions. They are key in this system and right now, the club needs two quality options and, these could be game-changers.
In goal, new signing Senne Lammens looks to have great potential, though for now, just bringing someone in with a good level of Premier League experience could be a good decision. Given the rivalry, it is unrealistic, though signing Ciaominh Kelleher on a free when he left Liverpool, could have been a smart move. Someone of that ilk in goal for now, would be more than adequate for now and a big upgrade on Altay Bayindir.