In the latest BD Cricket Match community talks, Manchester United’s gradual resurgence has drawn attention for the first time in years. After 11 Premier League rounds, United sit seventh in the table with 18 points — five wins, three draws, and three defeats — just one point behind fourth-placed Sunderland. While it’s far from a full-scale revival, the improvement compared to last season is undeniable. Under Rúben Amorim, who insists on a 3-4-2-1 formation, the team finally shows signs of balance and direction.
Last season was one to forget. Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag midway through the campaign, inheriting a broken side that ended with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses — 15th place with 42 points, scoring 44 and conceding 54, their worst numbers in the Premier League era. They even lost the Europa League final, finishing the season without any European competition. Yet the summer brought hope. Manchester United spent over €200 million to revamp their frontline, signing Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo to create a new attacking trio. Among them, Mbeumo has adapted quickly, recording six goals and one assist in 12 games. Cunha has struggled, managing just one goal, while Šeško — with only two goals and one assist — has been the biggest disappointment so far.
It’s not the first time a Bundesliga striker has struggled to adapt to English football. Apart from Erling Haaland, most who made the switch — like Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku, or Niclas Füllkrug — have found it tough. Šeško’s adjustment issues fit the same pattern, and at €85 million, he’s a costly gamble. To make matters worse, the forward recently picked up a minor injury and will need further evaluation. Compounding the problem, the African Cup of Nations runs from December 21 to January 18, meaning both Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will miss several key fixtures.
During that period, United face a grueling schedule: six Premier League matches — against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Wolves, Leeds, Burnley, and Manchester City — plus a third-round FA Cup tie. The Manchester Evening News reports that the club may turn to the winter transfer market to reinforce their attack, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney identified as a serious option. Toney, once Mbeumo’s strike partner at Brentford, formed a lethal combination that defined the club’s most successful attacking spell in recent years. Their chemistry could prove valuable again at Old Trafford.
According to reports, Amorim is intrigued by the idea of a front line featuring Mbeumo on the right, Toney through the middle, and Cunha on the left — a trio capable of reigniting United’s scoring power in the second half of the campaign. Toney’s current market value sits around £40 million, with two and a half years left on his contract. Given his age — nearing 30 — United could secure him for a relatively modest fee. For a team seeking sharper finishing and more cohesion, this move might be the pragmatic solution. Like a well-timed BD Cricket Match partnership, it’s all about chemistry, timing, and the right pairing at the right moment — something United desperately need to rediscover their bite up front.