Manchester United’s followers have been massively dissatisfied during the last 12 years, with the membership unable to achieve the heights that have been set below the Sir Alex Ferguson period.
The Scotsman led the Pink Devils to a staggering 13 Premier League titles, however since his retirement in 2013, the first-team have solely been in a position to muster a number of second-place finishes.
Ruben Amorim will little question need to finish such a drought, however the 2024/25 marketing campaign was the polar reverse of what he would have had in thoughts after taking the reins in November.
The Fifteenth-place end was unacceptable, particularly given the expectations of the fanbase, however the current run of three wins in a row has highlighted glimpses of a turnaround in type.
Nevertheless, the upcoming January switch window will current a brand new alternative for the supervisor to additional put money into the squad and bolster the choices at his disposal.
United’s hunt for added additions in January
Over the previous couple of days, United have been named as one of many sides in a transfer for Borussia Dortmund star Jobe Bellingham within the January window.
The Englishman solely moved to the Bundesliga through the summer time, however after simply two begins in 2025/26, he could possibly be set for a fast exit to achieve beneficial minutes to help his development.
A £42m price ticket has been mooted in consequence, however different groups similar to Crystal Palace and Sunderland are additionally within the race for his signature at current.
Nevertheless, he’s not the one participant of their sights, with AC Milan winger Rafael Leao one other top-level star who’s reportedly being scouted by the Pink Devils hierarchy.
In keeping with TEAMtalk, the Portuguese worldwide could be “very eager” on a Premier League swap, with Arsenal and Chelsea simply two different sides in rivalry for his providers.
Their report additionally states that the 26-year-old does have a €150m (£132m) launch clause in his contract, however it stays unclear if the Italian aspect could be prepared to barter a cut-price deal.
Why United’s £132m goal is even higher than Mbeumo
The summer time gave Amorim and United the proper probability to enhance the first-team squad, with the hierarchy forking out a price within the area of £71m for attacker Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroonian worldwide was a key goal for a number of sides within the division, however finally, it was the Pink Devils who got here out on prime to win the race for his providers.
Many individuals raised eyebrows on the mammoth price, particularly after one stable yr within the top-flight with 20 targets, however it’s protected to say the cash spent seems worthwhile only a handful of video games into his spell.
The 26-year-old has already discovered the web on 5 events inside his first ten outings for the membership, already sitting because the membership’s prime goalscorer at current.
Mbeumo has nailed his beginning function down in Amorim’s system, however that could possibly be about to vary past January – particularly if a deal is agreed for Leao.
There’s no denying it might be a hefty funding given the current spending at Outdated Trafford, but it could possibly be one which takes the present first-team squad to the following degree.
When evaluating the pair’s respective stats from the present season, the Portuguese star has managed to outperform the present United star in numerous key areas.
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How Leao & Mbeumo examine in 2025/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Leao |
Mbeumo |
|
Video games performed |
5 |
9 |
|
Targets scored |
3 |
5 |
|
Minutes per purpose |
91 |
193 |
|
Progressive carries |
4.1 |
3.1 |
|
Progressive passes |
3.3 |
2.3 |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
2.3 |
0.8 |
|
Go accuracy |
75% |
74% |
|
Key passes accomplished |
1.9 |
1.8 |
|
Passes into the 18-yard field |
1.5 |
0.8 |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
Leao could have scored barely fewer targets in 2025/26, however he has posted a greater minute per purpose ratio – showcasing his scientific nature throughout the last third.
With the ball at his ft, the Milan star has dominated Mbeumo, posting the next tally of take-ons per 90 and subsequently attaining the next success charge.
Discovering a teammate can be one other robust level of his sport, as seen by his larger tallies of key passes and passes into the opposition field per 90 in 2025/26.
Such numbers would permit the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha to additionally hit the bottom working in Manchester after their very own big-money transfers this summer time.
To prime off his dominance over the present Pink Devils star, Leao has produced extra progressive passes and progressive carries per 90 – highlighting his capability to get the ball into ahead areas at any given alternative.
£132m is an absurd amount of cash, with United having to interrupt the present English switch document to safe his signature if the Serie A aspect are unwilling to barter.
Nevertheless, it’s evidently clear that the 26-year-old is an exceptional expertise, ranges above Mbeumo, with the hierarchy needing to leap on the probability of touchdown him in January.
