Manchester United’s Summer Signings: Early Verdict on Cunha, Mbemo, Sesko and Lammens
Manchester United’s recent return to the Premier League top six provides the perfect moment for initial assessments of their summer transfer business. With players evaluated in order of their arrival at Old Trafford, we examine how the new recruits are settling in.
Matheus Cunha: Exciting Dribbling But Limited Goals
Transfer Details: Signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5 million with a weekly wage of £180,000. United activated his release clause after Wolves had re-signed the Brazilian in January anticipating a summer sale, with payments structured over three years – a rarity for clause-based transfers.
Initial Verdict: “Promising but needs more end product.”
Cunha arrived at Manchester United as a replacement for both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, both of whom had conflicts with manager Ruben Amorim and minimal compatibility with the number ten role in his system. The Brazilian fitted perfectly – having registered 41 goal contributions in 82 matches for Wolves while playing as a number ten.
Tactical Adaptation and Early Struggles
Matheus began the season as a false nine while Benjamin Sesko adapted to English football, with Amorim utilizing a Mount-Cunha-Mbemo front three. This significantly impacted his productivity: the Brazilian rarely received the ball in his preferred zones and squandered three clear chances in the opening two matches.
In the third round against Burnley, Cunha suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly a month, though fortunately two weeks coincided with the international break. Upon return, he temporarily lost his starting spot against Sunderland but quickly regained it for the Liverpool clash.
Mental Battles and Bruno’s Mentorship
The season’s start proved emotionally challenging for Cunha. Having failed to score during preseason and continuing his drought into the Premier League campaign, memes about “Agent 007” and comparisons with other new signings affected his confidence. The Brazilian appeared nervous, shooting when he should have passed, with the Brentford match representing his lowest point where he completely ignored his teammates.
Approaching the Brighton game, Cunha held the league’s highest number of shots without scoring. Help arrived through Bruno Fernandes, who according to The Sun became the Brazilian’s mentor. The Portuguese captain offered advice on emotional control and handling pressure, with their shared language facilitating communication. The pair also worked on technique, practicing corners and free-kicks after regular training sessions.
Turning Point and Current Form
Bruno’s guidance proved effective: against Liverpool and Brighton, Matheus appeared significantly calmer. At Anfield, while protecting the lead, Cunha stylishly shielded the ball and earned fouls after dribbles, stealing precious seconds from Liverpool’s comeback attempts. Following the victory, even the traditionally toxic Twitter community acknowledged: Matheus became the first “Agent 007” who hadn’t failed.
At United, Cunha’s playing style remains consistent with his Wolves days: as a number ten, he carries the ball from deep through bursts and dribbling. Matheus leads the Premier League in shots following dribbling sequences and maintains excellent dribbling success rates. Among players attempting over 20 dribbles, Cunha boasts one of the league’s best success percentages at 52%, trailing only Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.
Other New Signings: Mbemo and Sesko
While Cunha has drawn most attention, United’s other summer acquisitions show varying degrees of promise. Mbemo has demonstrated flashes of his potential, though adaptation to Premier League intensity remains ongoing.
Benjamin Sesko required time to adjust to English football’s physical demands, explaining why Amorim initially preferred Cunha in the false nine role. The young striker’s development continues behind the scenes, with coaching staff carefully managing his integration.
Lammens: The Future Prospect
Among the summer arrivals, Lammens represents a long-term investment. The promising talent continues his development within United’s system, with first-team opportunities expected to emerge as the season progresses.
Conclusion: Early Signs Promising
Initial concerns about Cunha’s work ethic have proven unfounded, with the Brazilian demonstrating commitment to his development. While goal output remains below expectations, his underlying performances suggest improvement is imminent. As United’s new signings continue adapting, the early evidence suggests the recruitment strategy shows promise, though final judgment requires more Premier League action.
