Manchester United are preparing for a critical overhaul this summer following a dismal 2024/25 campaign that saw them slump to an astonishing 15th-place finish in the Premier League.
For a club renowned for its legacy of excellence, such a performance is widely considered a catastrophe, leading to mounting pressure on newly appointed manager Ruben Amorim.
Tasked with restoring pride at Old Trafford, Amorim now faces the urgent task of rebuilding a fractured squad and steering the team back into contention for major honours.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, United have failed to mount a serious title challenge, with the gulf between them and the league’s top sides growing alarmingly wider.
Determined to reverse this trend, the club has begun reshaping its squad, starting with the high-profile signing of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha.
Acquired from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £62.5 million, Cunha is expected to inject much-needed firepower into a frontline that severely underperformed last season.
However, bringing in new talent is only half the equation. United must also streamline their squad to maintain balance and competitiveness.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes recently made headlines for turning down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal, who reportedly tabled a staggering £700,000-a-week wage proposal.
Fernandes instead chose to remain at Old Trafford, underlining his commitment to competing at the highest levels of European football.
In contrast, not all players are expected to stay. Rasmus Højlund appears to be edging closer to the exit, with Inter Milan reportedly advancing in negotiations to sign the Danish striker. United are believed to be seeking a fee in the region of £40 million.
Højlund, who scored just four league goals last season and 26 in all competitions since joining the club, has struggled to establish himself as a reliable presence up front.
To replace Højlund and revitalize the attack, United are closing in on a deal for Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford.
The 25-year-old winger is valued at around £60 million and is coming off a stellar season in which he scored 20 goals and contributed seven assists.
Mbeumo reportedly turned down offers from Newcastle and Tottenham, signaling his confidence in Amorim’s vision for United’s future.
His impressive statistics — including nearly two chances created per match and over one cross per game — suggest he could be the creative spark the Red Devils have been missing.
Ironically, Mbeumo’s arrival may have helped Højlund thrive, given the Dane’s aerial ability and Mbeumo’s knack for delivering quality service into the box.
Højlund averaged 1.4 aerial duels won per game, and consistent supply from a wide creator like Mbeumo might have unlocked his full potential.
Still, Amorim appears to favor immediate impact over long-term development, choosing to invest in proven contributors over raw talent.
Should Højlund’s sale go through, the funds would help finance Mbeumo’s transfer and support further squad additions.
The Cameroon international’s ability to operate both on the flanks and through the middle makes him an ideal fit for Amorim’s high-intensity system.
With Fernandes staying put and Cunha already secured, the addition of Mbeumo could form a dynamic trio at the heart of United’s attacking renaissance — one aimed at finally restoring the club’s stature among the Premier League elite.
