How Manchester United could line up with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes in Premier League under Ruben Amorim

Bruno Fernandes has rejected a move to the Saudi Pro League and decided to stay at Manchester United, but his decision poses Manchester United a tactical dilemma.

After finishing 15th in the Premier League with just 42 points last term, and losing the Europa League final, the Red Devils are said to be facing serious financial difficulties.

However, despite their troubles they have been able to secure the services of attacker Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

United are also said to be Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo’s preferred destination, though it remains to be seen if the club can afford to sign a striker to complement him and Cunha.

Selling Fernandes was seen as a way of providing Amorim with further funds to revamp his squad, but with his captain staying, the Portuguese manager faces the prospect of potentially having to forgo signing a number nine.

Here, Sports Mole discusses how Manchester United could line up now that Fernandes has decided to stay at Old Trafford.

Mbeumo up front

During his time in England, Amorim has continued to deploy the 3-4-3 system that helped him win two league titles with Sporting Lisbon, and his formation utilises two attacking midfielders behind a centre-forward.

Fernandes is at his productive best when he is positioned behind a striker, and considering he ended the campaign as the team’s leading goalscorer (19) and assist provider (18), it would be risky to move him out of his favoured role and use him as a centre-forward.

Perhaps Mbeumo could be used in a central position given he has experience of playing up front for Brentford, and his blistering pace would be useful when Amorim wants to stretch opposition defences.

However, the Brentford forward is able to contribute most when he is provided with freedom to drift into central zones  from wider areas, and starting him as the team’s striker could limit his ability to be productive.

However, if the club’s finances mean they cannot sign a striker, perhaps it would be for the betterment of the XI if Mbeumo sacrificed his preferred position until United can afford to bring in a number nine.

Cunha false nine

Deploying Cunha in a false nine role may also be an option for Amorim considering the Brazilian is adept in smaller pockets of space.

The 26-year-old made the most passes into the penalty area (58), the most key passes (56) and made the most progressive carries (112) of any Wolves player in 2024-25, and his ability to progress play could make him a suitable candidate to lead United’s line.

Mbeumo would likely benefit from playing behind the Brazilian given he excels when sprinting into space, and gaps are certain to open up in opposition defences in moments when Cunha drops deep.

It should be said that Cunha would personally benefit more from being used in an attacking midfield role considering he has primarily played from either the left of attack or behind a central striker.

Rasmus Hojlund up front, Bruno deeper

There is a scenario in which Amorim stations Cunha and Mbeumo as his two attacking midfielders while dropping Fernandes deeper into a double pivot.

The Portuguese has operated in a central midfield position before, but asking the 30-year-old to permanently adapt to an unfavoured role could be risky.

Additionally, playing Fernandes deeper may mean that Amorim would have no choice but to field striker Rasmus Hojlund up front.

The Danish international only scored four Premier League goals last season, and he has been widely criticised by fans and pundits for his poor performances.

Alternatively, Joshua Zirkzee could be utilised as United’s centre-forward, though the Dutchman has been linked with a return to Serie A.

Written by
Lewis Nolan