Manchester United’s New Attacking Blueprint: Cunha, Mbeumo & Šeško Anchored by Bruno Fernandes

Rebuilding United’s Attack

Manchester United’s summer of 2025 has shown ambition and an offensive revitalization. The high-profile arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško indicate a clear focus: sculpting a multi-dimensional, creative, and physically imposing attacking unit—one that Bruno Fernandes will orchestrate.

Matheus Cunha: A Premier League Proven Creator

• In the 2024-25 Premier League season, Cunha delivered 15 goals and 6 assists across 33 appearances, yielding a potent 0.45 goals per game productivity  .
  

• His broader Premier League career, spanning 82 appearances, includes 29 goals and 13 assists, reflecting a reliable output  .
  

• Cunha’s shooting volume (110 shots, 44 on target) and expected goals (xG) of 8.63 underscore his quality and consistency  .
  

• Tactical impact: Cunha brings clinical finishing, intelligent positioning, and the ability to unlock defenses with both goal threat and creativity—qualities United have lacked recently.

Bryan Mbeumo: Dynamic & Creative Beacon

• Across his Brentford Premier League tenure, Mbeumo tallied 42 goals and 28 assists in 136 appearances  .
  

• In 2024-25, he registered 20 goals and 10 assists, placing him among the most productive midfielders—and only behind Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer in Fantasy points.
  

• Notably, he consistently outperformed his expected goals (xG), showcasing a knack for finishing beyond statistical expectations—for example, scoring eight league goals from an xG of just 3.79  .
  

• Tactical impact: Mbeumo’s dynamism, finishing, and creative output make him a dual-threat—capable of acting as both scorer and creator on the flanks or inside channels.

Benjamin Šeško: The Physical Focal Point

• Šeško’s move from RB Leipzig to Manchester United is valued up to £73.7 million, with a five-year deal completed in early August 2025  .
  

• Last season, he scored 13 Bundesliga goals and totaled 21 goals in all competitions, establishing himself as one of Europe’s top U-23 scorers  .
  

• Analysts note his combination of aerial dominance, pace, dribbling ability, and his Cristiano Ronaldo-esque leap, though they also raise concerns around his hold-up play and passing—potential adaptation factors in the Premier League  .
  

• Tactical impact: Šeško offers physical presence and vertical threat, ideal as a central point for service from Cunha and Mbeumo—especially in a fluid front-three structure.

Bruno Fernandes: The Facilitator

• Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United’s captain and most influential creative force amid this attacking overhaul  .
  

• As the advanced playmaker, he will link midfield to attack, providing through balls, tempo, and vision—essential to synthesizing the strengths of Cunha, Mbeumo, and Šeško.
  

• Tactical models suggest a deeper Bruno allows Cunha and Mbeumo to operate in No. 10 or pseudo-winger roles, while Šeško leads the line  .
  

• Crucial role: Bruno’s distribution, spatial awareness, and ability to manage the tempo will be the glue binding United’s attacking trident.

Strategic Formation & Patterns of Play

• Formation: A flexible 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 setup appears ideal under Ruben Amorim. Šeško functions as the central striker, Cunha and Mbeumo drift into half-spaces or wide support, with Bruno positioned either centrally or floats into the half spaces to find possession.
  

• Transitions & Fluidity: Cunha and Mbeumo’s movement off the ball, combined with Šeško’s target-man runs, encourages vertical penetration. Bruno’s quick distribution can switch play or launch through balls, leveraging the trio’s pace and creativity.
  

• Set-Pieces & Aerial Threat: With Šeško’s impressive vertical leap, United gains another dimension: high crosses, flick-ons, and physical set-piece dominance in addition to their central defenders.
  

• Depth & Rotation: Cunha and Mbeumo can rotate positions—sometimes swapping roles or interchanging with Bruno—to disorient defenses.

Projection: Productivity Boost for Manchester United

• Goal volume: If Cunha and Mbeumo approximate their recent per-90 returns—0.45 and ~0.50 goal contributions per game, respectively—Manchester United could anticipate a significant uptick from the current attack, which managed just 44 league goals last season  .
  

• Assists & chance creation: Bruno, paired with Mbeumo and Cunha, should bolster chance creation, increasing both expected goals and actual conversion.
  

• Šeško adding unique value: His physicality and finishing can elevate United’s numbers further—especially in aerial situations and as a decoy or focal point.
  

Conclusion: A Potent Attack Reimagined

Manchester United’s summer of 2025 marks more than spending—it heralds a tactical reimagining. Pairing Matheus Cunha’s creativity in the final third, Bryan Mbeumo’s dynamic movement off the ball and finishing flair, and Benjamin Šeško’s physicality and aerial prowess, under the orchestration of Bruno Fernandes, can unlock a dynamic, multidimensional offense.

If deployed effectively, United can expect:

• A significant lift in goal productivity
  

• Greater unpredictability and flexibility in attack
  

• Effective rotation and sustained pressing energy.
  

The synergy between these players—powered by Fernandes’s vision and distribution—could signal the return of United as an attacking force in both the Premier League and Europe