In a significant move in the summer transfer window, Manchester United has welcomed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko to its roster. The trio arrived at Old Trafford for a cumulative fee of £207.2 million. These acquisitions are expected to boost the team’s performance in the upcoming Premier League season, bringing fresh talent and dynamic playmaking abilities.
Of this summer’s signings though, Matheus Cunha is the most conspicuous. Known for his ability to excel in tight spaces, he has a knack for dropping deep to connect with teammates and find runners. He has a pretty brilliant track record, with 17 created big chances last Premier League season. Just Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka had better expected goals numbers than him. That skill set would be a boon to a Manchester United side in desperate need of creativity if they want to push for a top-four finish.
Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko add their own special brands of chaos to Manchester United’s new-look front line, making them a nightmare for defenders. Through the addition of these players, the club intends to form a more dynamic and dangerous attacking group.
Matheus Cunha’s Impact on Team Play
Matheus Cunha’s arrival could significantly impact the dynamics of Manchester United’s attack. Last season, for example, he proved his vision and playmaking skills to be World-Class ̶ time after time giving scoring opportunities to his teammates. His partnership with Ait-Nouri at Wolverhampton serves to crystallize this notion. They developed almost double the opportunities for one another as Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu and Alejandro Garnacho.
Additionally, the way Cunha approaches the game fits perfectly with the squad they have in place, especially the young, fiery talents like Dorgu. The latter, a £30 million signing from Lecce in January, has made a good impression over the course of pre-season. Cunha can drop deep and create play from there, something that could help Dorgu flourish with Cunha’s guidance alongside him.
“It’s something very uncommon to find in a midfielder,” – Mikel Arteta
This quote from Arsenal’s manager highlights the rarity of Cunha’s attributes, making him an exciting addition to any squad.
Ismaila Sarr: A Dynamic Force for Crystal Palace
Newly-rich Crystal Palace has spent the summer grabbing headlines — and players — by signing the likes of Ismaila Sarr. He’s a great fit for the club’s direct, counter-attacking approach under manager Oliver Glasner. For reference, last season, Sarr generated 11 big chances. His ability to change games in an instant is something that stands out. His average of 0.58 non-penalty expected goals plus expected assists per 90 minutes further underscores his all-around attacking threat.
Sarr’s dazzling showing against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final was a perfect case in point. With a brave aim, he cements further his status as a game-changer. If you go by the underlying stats, he’s arguably done better than Eberechi Eze, another player being talked up as a potential departure from the club.
Sarr’s dynamic style could be pivotal for Crystal Palace as they seek to establish themselves in the upper echelons of the Premier League. His ability to contribute both in terms of goals and assists makes him a valuable asset in their attacking framework.
The Future of Manchester United and Crystal Palace
As both clubs continue to settle into this new season, the influence of their recent signings will be an interesting theme to follow. For Manchester United too, Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko herald the start of a new exciting era with bags of potential. Improving Cunha and Dorgu’s productivity would change their attacking game completely. This partnership will both develop additional scoring opportunities and improve their chemistry on the field.
In a different approach, Crystal Palace appear set to cash in on Eze’s abilities while dodging recent rumors linking both him and Marc Guehi away from Selhurst Park. The team’s counter-attacking strategy under Glasner will heavily rely on Sarr’s performance and creativity.
“Like Xabi Alonso in the way he sees football,” – a former coach
This apt comparison only serves to further highlight Cunha’s footballing intelligence and vision, two qualities needed to effectively run a midfield.
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