Two of Manchester United’s biggest summer signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, are starting to get into full flow for the Red Devils.
Mbeumo, in particular, has started life at Old Trafford quickly, with eight goals and assists in 16 games across all competitions.
As for his Brazilian teammate, things haven’t been quite as smooth sailing. He’s struggled with a few minor injuries and hasn’t been at his best.
The United number ten only has one goal and one assist in 12 Premier League games, but has shown flashes of his best form.
United are not done there when it comes to strengthening in attack, and could dip back into the market this winter.
United’s latest attacking target
It is not just in attack that the Red Devils might be looking to strengthen their side, with midfield a focus area too.
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They are reportedly plotting to sign Elliot Anderson and are even linked with a sensational, if expensive, move for Jude Bellingham.
Looking further up the pitch, the Mancunian giants are linked with a move to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, United are able to meet the Ghanaian’s release clause and could make a move for him.
This, of course, will not be a cheap deal. Semenyo’s release clause is worth a reported £65m, a fee Ruben Amorim’s side ‘would be able to match’ this winter.
However, they would face tough competition for his signature, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City all interested in signing him, too.
Why Semenyo would be a good signing
There is no doubt about 25-year-old Semenyo’s quality. The versatile forward, who can operate on either flank, has been described this season as a “world-class” operator by Cherries teammate Justin Kluivert.
Indeed, the numbers he has put up are reflective of someone deemed an elite winger. This season in the Premier League, Bournemouth’s number 24 has played 14 games, scoring six goals and assisting a further three.
There have been some real standout moments for the 25-year-old, too. He’s scored twice and assisted the other in a 3-1 win at home to Fulham, and scored a sublime solo goal against Liverpool at Anfield on the opening day of the season.
United would love for the winger to have the same sort of impact as Mbeumo if he were to join. The Cameroonian attacker has been one of their most consistent players this season, even winning November’s Premier League player of the month award.
His most recent goal came on Monday against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Mbeumo and his new teammate Cunha can have a “big impact” on the club if they are able to “find a way to click,” according to United great Gary Neville.
If the Red Devils were to acquire Semenyo in the winter window, they would love for him to add to that threat with their two summer recruits.
You could certainly make a case that the Ghanaian is a hybrid of both players. At least, according to FBref, he has similar underlying numbers to Mbeumo over the last year and to Cunha in the top flight this term – noted as statistically similar both men in those respective fields.
Well, to factor in both, let’s look at numbers from the last two Premier League seasons. A standout number is their combined goals and assists per 90 minutes, with Semenyo averaging 0.5, Cunha 0.6 and Mbeumo 0.65.
0.5 goals & assists
0.6 goals & assists
0.65 goals & assists
1.29 key passes
1.78 key passes
1.79 key passes
1.85 take-ons complete
2.09 take-ons complete
1.22 take-ons complete
3.85 progressive carries
3.63 progressive carries
3.26 progressive carries
4.6 ball recoveries
4.36 ball recoveries
3.98 ball recoveries
It is easy to see how the three players are similar, based on those numbers.
If Semenyo – who, like the United pair, is Premier League proven – can offer the goal and assist numbers of Mbeumo, and the threat carrying the ball which Cunha brings, he would be a dangerous addition to Amorim’s side.
£65m is not the most unreasonable fee for a player of his class, and United fans will be hoping he can have a quick impact at Old Trafford.
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