🚨🚨| Reasons Revealed: Cunha & Mbeumo Absent from Man Utd Squad ⤵️
Manchester United’s new attacking signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, have been notably omitted from recent matchday squads, stirring fan speculation and media scrutiny. Manager Rúben Amorim has offered explanations rooted in fitness and timing—but critics suggest deeper strategic considerations are at play.
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🩺 Fitness Issues Cited by Amorim
In United’s mid‑season friendly against Bournemouth, Amorim confirmed that Cunha was absent due to fatigue, stressing the need for caution:
> “Matheus felt a little bit fatigued. He was ready to play… but we need to be careful.”
Similarly, Mbeumo was described as “starting slowly”, and not yet available for selection .
Despite both participating in pre‑season training, fans cast doubt on the timing of these fitness concerns—especially since Cunha had featured in earlier games against Leeds and West Ham. Social media responses ranged from incredulity to frustration, with comments such as “Fatigue? He played less than 100 mins in both games coach.” .
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📅 Transfer Timing & PSR Strategy Behind the Scenes
Cunha’s Deal Was Strategically Scheduled
Although the £62.5 million release clause for Cunha was reportedly triggered earlier, United delayed announcing the move. Sources revealed this was largely for financial accounting purposes:
The club arranged for Cunha’s agreement to be formalized after July 1, allowing costs to fall into the 2025–26 Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) window, thus avoiding potential breaches for 2024–25 .
The deal is fully agreed, with medical clearances pending visa coordination featuring Brazil’s national team staff under Carlo Ancelotti back in June .
Mbeumo’s Arrival and Entry to Competition
Bryan Mbeumo’s deal (reported at £65 million, rising to £71 million with add-ons) was only finalized in late July, after which he began a gradual integration into training. He missed the U.S. opener against West Ham, with Amorim clarifying that Mbeumo is “starting slowly” and will feature when ready physically .
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👥 The Broader Squad Dynamics
New Signings & Tactical Alignment
Cunha and Mbeumo were recruited to fit Amorim’s 3‑4‑2‑1 system, providing goals, creativity, and pace behind the striker line. As Gary Neville assessed, they bring a blend of pace, Premier League experience, and the ability to “stretch teams”—something United lacked in recent seasons .
Their arrivals have already impacted internal competition, particularly for players like Mason Mount, who welcomed the challenge on the pitch, albeit facing increased odds of regular starts .
“Bomb Squad” Players & Financial Priorities
Amorim has also begun excluding certain fringe players—notably Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia—from the squad. These players—dubbed the “bomb squad”—are available for sale, but only at club valuation; if no suitable offers materialize, Amorim is open to reintegrating them .
This strategy underscores a broader financial balancing act: United must sell high-value assets to fund further key acquisitions while staying PSR compliant.
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🔍 Underlying Questions Fans Are Asking
1. Are fitness explanations credible?
Critics note that both Cunha and Mbeumo participated in early tour matches, prompting doubts about sudden fatigue. Fans voiced skepticism: “Is Amorim overworking these guys?” .
2. Is this part of a deliberate integration pace?
Given Cunha’s delayed formal arrival and Mbeumo’s fitness timeline, delaying their competitive debuts may be premeditated rather than reactive.
3. Does their absence reflect managerial caution or mismatch risk?
As rely more heavily on internal performance and existing squad, Amorim may be easing the duo in to prevent destabilizing tactics or over-reliance early in pre-season.
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🧠 Tactical Preview: Where They Fit
Matheus Cunha
Deployed mostly as a false nine or no. 10, Cunha’s strengths lie in progressive carries, key passes, and creative transitions—leading Wolves in shots created and touches inside the box last season .
His ability to drop deep and link play is envisioned to complement wingers like Mbeumo while giving Bruno Fernandes a freer tactical role.
Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo brings directness, pace, and finishing ability. With 20 league goals in 2024–25, he is expected to operate across wide or central areas, offering both width and conversion threat .
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⚠️ Risks & Concerns Ahead
Potential Overperformance Pitfall
According to analytics from The Athletic, both forwards significantly outperformed their expected goals (xG) last season—raising questions about the sustainability of their form:
Mbeumo scored nearly double his xG (0.4% probability to match), while Cunha outperformed with a 1.7% probability of his goal count. Historically, such overperformance tends to regress toward mean levels .
Nonetheless, both accumulated high underlying xG figures, suggesting robust involvement in offensive phases regardless of finishing luck.
Financial and Composure Dimensions
Cunha has faced disciplinary issues, including a two-match ban and fine for misconduct during his Wolves tenure, prompting some caution over his temperament under pressure .
United needed to balance the £62.5 million Cunha fee and the £71 million for Mbeumo with outgoing sales. They have been linked with offloading Sancho, Garnacho, Antony, and others to fund future striker pursuits like Sesko or Watkins .
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✅ Key Takeaways
1. Absences due to fitness are Amorim’s official explanation, with Cunha described as fatigued and Mbeumo as being eased into the squad .
2. Timing of transfers was strategic: Cunha’s paperwork delayed until after July 1 for PSR compliance, while Mbeumo’s deal wrapped only in late July .
3. Both players are seen as cornerstones of the tactical rebuild under Amorim’s current formation—bringing creativity, pace, and Premier League know-how.
4. Their early integration is cautious—a reflection of extended contracts, financial prudence, and managing squad dynamics with established competition.
5. Though exciting talents, concerns exist about goal regression or adaptation risk, alongside commitments to stay PSR-compliant amid high expenditure.
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📝 Summary
Cunha and Mbeumo’s omissions from recent matchday squads are officially tied to fitness management and careful ramp-up, but reveal deeper business timing and tactical phasing in Manchester United’s summer rebuild. With both on high transfer fees and large expectations, the club appears keen to manage their introduction strategically—balancing immediate readiness, PSR accounting, and squad harmony.
As pre-season continues, attention now turns to when and how they will feature—particularly under Amorim’s changing system and amid media debate on whether tipping stars into form too late could hamper cohesion or momentum.
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