This weekend, after Manchester United have completed their trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Ruben Amorim will know exactly where his side stand after the mini-revival of recent weeks.
But for the Red Devils to have gone four matches without a defeat in the Premier League is a significant step forward, and, at the least, an illustration of improvements being made at the Theatre of Dreams.
Too often, Man United have seen false dawns, upswings in form that fizzle out at the first sight of adversity. But Amorim’s system has been long in the making, and the readings from recent weeks speak of a team knitting together, developing physically and mentally. There is, however, much still to improve on.
We are not looking at a mayfly of a resurgence but a potential for sustainability, competing for Europe and competing for silverware. INEOS’ transfer dealings this year look to be paying off, but so too are the pre-existing players rising up and making progress.
And who better to epitomise that than Bruno Fernandes?
Bruno Fernandes is still Utd's main man
This summer, Fernandes rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The temptation was there, especially after such an abject 2024/25 campaign, but the 31-year-old decided he had unfinished business in Manchester.
Despite tactical imbalances in his deeper midfield role, Fernandes remains the glue holding Amorim’s system together. As per Sofascore, he has made 6.1 recoveries, 1.8 tackles and won 5.8 duels on average in the Premier League this term, fighting tooth and nail to charge his team.
But the Red Devils captain is at his rip-roaring best when creating and orchestrating the attack. Already he has peeled away from the rest of the division’s finest playmakers in chance creation metrics this term.
Bruno Fernandes
10
28
Jack Grealish
9
21
Cody Gakpo
10
21
Jeremy Doku
10
20
Phil Foden
8
20
Fernandes has been joined by Casemiro in upholding the midfield, and one of the principal reasons that they are starting to play with more fluency and a deeper understanding is that the forwards are working harder, dropping deep
Matheus Cunha has been a revelation in this regard, but he hasn’t been the cream of the attacking crop.
The Man Utd star outperforming Bruno
Fernandes might be the linchpin in the middle for this Manchester United side, but Bryan Mbeumo has enjoyed a sensational start to life at Old Trafford, dovetailing into the system and elevating it.
With three goals and an assist across his past four matches in the Premier League, the Cameroon international is kindling the prolific ability that saw him exceed expectations with Brentford last term, leading to the initial £65m capture of the wide forward, who said upon arrival that United is “the club of my dreams”.
Commitment and desire. Too often have United’s signings in this post-Fergie world seemingly arrived for bumper fees and fallen by the wayside after not putting in the hard graft.
But players like Mbeumo and Cunha are hungry for success at the highest level, and the former in particular has been a revelation in the final third, not just providing a clinical output but dazzling with his all-round play.
Mbeumo hasn’t quite hit the same level that he was enjoying at the Gtech last season, but given his performances in Manchester have led analyst Umir Irfan to declare he’s “one of the best in the world”, given “how complete he is”, things are only going to improve as Amorim’s set-up strengthens.
Given that he is setting the pace in front of goal for United, it feels like Mbeumo is shaping up for a talismanic role, one that could even see him eclipse Bruno down the line.
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
10 (10)
Goals
20
4
Assists
7
1
Shots (on target)*
2.2 (1.1)
2.4 (1.3)
Big chances missed
9
3
Pass completion
74%
80%
Big chances created
17
3
Key passes*
1.8
1.9
Dribbles*
1.4
0.9
Ball recoveries*
4.1
3.0
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
0.4
Duels won*
4.7
2.7
Mbeumo’s strength and athleticism have made him a tough adversary for even the finest defenders in the Premier League, and, along with Cunha, his signing tells of a new strategy at Old Trafford that focuses on adding Prem-proven players to the ranks.
A “sorcerer” with the ball, as has been said by content creator Adam Joseph, Mbeumo has added strings to the Man United attacking bow, and he’s only just getting started.
Regarded as a rare type of wide forward whose prowess lies across a range of different attacking qualities, Mbeumo has demonstrated this in recent months, showing already that United have received bang for their buck.
As per data-driven platform FBref, the 26-year-old ranks among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this season for goals scored, but also among the top 11% for through balls and the top 2% for crosses into the penalty area per 90.
Whether his service his provided as the chief goal-getter or through bouncing against centre-forward Benjamin Sesko, Mbeumo has what it takes to lead from the front at Old Trafford, and that’s something (Fernandes notwithstanding) that has been decidedly lacking in recent years for the outfit.
After a recent upswing in form and performances, Amorim will have sensed that he might be able to make something of his tenure at Man United.
With forwards like Mbeumo integrating seamlessly and proving they have an unquenchable desire for success, he might just find his time at the club is only getting started.
A new Rashford: Man Utd flop is becoming a "worry long-term" for Amorim
Man United are improving but still have plenty of problems.
ByAngus Sinclair