Mbeumo, Gyokeres alternative, £51m surprise - Man Utd dream attack after eight transfers

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Manchester United still have the bulk of their transfer business to conduct if they are going to hand Ruben Amorim his dream attack force, as was the intention heading into this summer.

Last term, a 15th-placed Premier League finish was as sore as it gets for United, but shifting from one manager to the next involved a level of acceptance of teething problems. What was made obvious was deficiencies in attack, as only four other top-flight teams scored less than Amorim's men with 38 matches played.

This is what prompted the swift payment of Matheus Cunha's £62.5m release clause from Wolves. The scorer of 17 goals in all 2024/25 competitions became the first signing of the summer.

Next on the hit list is Bryan Mbeumo, with his desire to move to Old Trafford well documented as a deal is discussed with Brentford.

And from there it is still a rather open book with two months of the summer left to play out. What is certain is that alongside other additions to Amorim's attack, outgoings will be a necessity.

Mbeumo, naturally a right-sided attacker, would help Amad cover what is needed on that flank but also has shown ability at Brentford to play centrally as required.

This can be partially offset by the permanent sale of Antony either now or later down the line, with the possibility of another loan an option as a last-ditch scenario.

Cunha is a central-minded attacker, as is Ollie Watkins who is now being linked with the move to United in the wake of Viktor Gyokeres' saga. The club have reportedly accepted defeat in the race for Amorim's former striker at Sporting CP, so could instead turn to their rivals.

Watkins' record speaks for itself - 87 goals and 42 assists in 223 Villa appearances - as one of England's current deadliest finishers. The only attribute against him is age as he is 29, but it is not as if United are in a position to be picky if they want to slowly but surely recover their place at the top of English football.

The sale of striker Rasmus Hojlund will help free up funds and further space for the Watkins transfer, but that is not close to completion yet. Joshua Zirkzee could then be kept as cover, with 17-year-old Chido Obi also another who can be kept on the fringes of the senior squad and handed opportunities as appropriate.

On the left flank it would seem an entire clear-out is in order.

Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho are all out of favour either in Amorim's eyes or from Erik ten Hag's previous regime so are all up for sale.

The trio's departure would help bring in a significant portion of transfer funds to allow United to challenge some of their biggest rivals in a battle for a player now claimed to be worth £51m.

The Independent say Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham and Nottingham Forest have all been in contact with Lyon over the signing of Malick Fofana, a player who Old Trafford watched delight for the visitors from the bench in extra-time of last season's Europa League quarter-final second leg. His spritely play helped the French club take a 4-2 lead on the night, only for United to muster three goals out of nothing in the closing stages and advance.

The 20-year-old is not close to making any move at this point in time, it is said, and as a long-term prospect not many talents in Europe have proven themselves as Fofana has done already in his young career. United could swoop in to complete their business.

Amorim also has a collection of midfielders who are not shy to step further forward when it counts, namely Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount.

Manchester United dream attack:

Attacking midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount

Wingers: Amad, Malick Fofana, Bryan Mbeumo

Strikers/centre forwards: Matheus Cunha, Chido Obi, Ollie Watkins, Joshua Zirkzee

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