Manchester United’s success last season was largely driven by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and they’ve identified this summer’s version of that pairing.
When the other signings, like Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens, were taking their time to get used to English football, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo set off running.
It provided Ineos with a template to work with in the transfer market, hence their interest in Elliot Anderson.
However, after Anderson seemingly set to join Man City, the stage is set for Man Utd to sign this summer’s version of Mbeumo and Cunha.
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So far, the only signing that looks as good as done for Man Utd is Ederson, who arrives from Italian football to shore up the midfield.
If last summer’s strategy is any indication, at least two Premier League players will also join, and after Anderson’s snub, it’s clear who Man Utd want.
Alex Scott and Mateus Fernandes have been identified to add Premier League quality to this team, with both players keen on a move.
They can have the same impact on the midfield that Cunha and Mbeumo had on the attack, and it will be even more pronounced because of how much United have missed agile midfielders.
Just like their attacking counterparts from last summer’s market, they won’t need time to settle in, having already bossed half the midfields they’ll come across next season.
That’s the biggest selling point, and just like Cunha and Mbeumo, they are desperate to come to Old Trafford, making them the perfect addition to the dressing room.
The more City get dragged into an ill-advised transfer battle with Forest for Anderson, the more it looks like Fernandes and Scott are the players for Man Utd anyway.
They are young, they are hungry to play for Man Utd, they play in a position that is in need of reinforcements, and they have Premier League experience with a high ceiling.
The script couldn’t be better for them to repeat what Cunha and Mbeumo did for the attack last season.
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