Man Utd “maverick” is trying like an even bigger expertise than Semenyo

The bombshell information broke earlier this week that Premier League sensation, Antoine Semenyo, is more likely to be on the transfer subsequent month. Sadly for these at Manchester United, nonetheless, the Ghanaian seems to be heading to the Etihad.

Sure, regardless of options that United had been one of many frontrunners for the 25-year-old’s signature, it could seem that ex-Bristol Metropolis man has been swayed by the pull of Pep Guardiola and co, with a £65m deal now set to be struck.

Such developments come at a time when the Pink Devils have been left trying desperately brief on attacking choices, a proven fact that was no extra obvious than in Friday’s slender win over Newcastle United.

With Ruben Amorim chopping and altering his facet within the dying embers, the hosts have been left with a ahead line that contained Patrick Dorgu on one flank, and Diogo Dalot as the best level on the alternative facet, with the absence of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo keenly felt in that hard-fought encounter.

That being stated, final season’s dropping Europa League finalists nonetheless managed to get the job completed towards the Magpies, with there actually motive for positivity among the many Previous Trafford trustworthy.

Man Utd’s greatest performers vs Newcastle

It will be remiss to start this part with out mentioning that man Dorgu, with the 21-year-old Dane trying a lot improved in his new position down the best flank in that promising first-half.

Having scored three of his 5 Lecce objectives whereas working off the best, as per Transfermarkt, the teenager showcased why that maybe needs to be his everlasting house in a United shirt, rifling in his first aim for the membership in beautiful style towards Eddie Howe’s facet.

The January arrival additionally noticed one other effort denied by the sprawling Aaron Ramsdale, whereas additionally selecting out Benjamin Sesko with a pleasant reverse go early on, just for the Slovenian striker to squander the opening.

Dorgu was then the star attraction on an evening all about Amorim’s younger weapons, with fellow 2025 signing, Ayden Heaven, additionally placing in a commanding show on the coronary heart of the backline, even amid a lot change round him.

Signed for simply £1m, the 19-year-old continues to make that deal look such a coup, having gained 100% of his duels on the evening, as per Sofascore, whereas boasting a 94% go accuracy fee.

Just like the returning Lisandro Martinez alongside him, Heaven was central to United incomes all three factors, with the Englishman greater than seizing his probability within the absence of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

On the different finish of the pitch, too, the lack of Mbeumo, Amad and captain Bruno Fernandes has allowed one other main mild to emerge, with Amorim having a brand new attacking figurehead to hold his hat on.

Man Utd have already got an even bigger expertise than Semenyo

With United’s absentee record worsening following Mason Mount’s withdrawal at half-time, it appeared virtually inevitable that the house facet would drift towards yet one more defeat, having been pressured to cling on amid a frantic second-half on the Theatre of Goals.

There was encouragingly, nonetheless, an actual grit and struggle proven by these in crimson, with that may to win maybe epitomised greatest by summer time signing, Matheus Cunha, in his quantity ten berth.

Working each centrally and off the left, the 26-year-old was so typically the driving pressure for United in an attacking sense, having drawn a save himself from Ramsdale with an effort from the angle, whereas flashing a handful of makes an attempt vast.

Sure, there’s an erratic high quality to his sport, however again and again, the Brazilian is on the coronary heart of the motion, showcasing why journalist Samuel Luckhurst has beforehand described him as a “maverick” and a “workhorse” following his promising begin to life in Manchester.

Whereas club-led comparisons to Eric Cantona could also be unhelpful and considerably hyperbolic, a better similarity might be to fellow South American ‘maverick’, Carlos Tevez, with the Argentine having additionally been such a relentless presence in Sir Alex Ferguson’s feared ahead line.

Working alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the ex-West Ham United man wasn’t at all times the star attraction in his two-year keep on the membership, though he was simply as essential to that glittering interval of success, racking up 48 objectives and assists in 99 video games in whole in all competitions.

Cunha, within the modern-day, has been considerably overshadowed himself by the goalscoring type of each Mbeumo and Fernandes, however as was evident on Friday night, he could be equally as instrumental, registering one key go and efficiently finishing 4 of his six tried dribbles.

Whereas Semenyo may need been earmarked as an alternative choice off that left flank, with Cunha repurposed extra centrally, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers hero showcased why he needs to be a nailed-on starter in his most well-liked position, having begun to select up the place he left off at Molineux.

Solely three objectives have come his manner in a United shirt, though the £62.5m addition did document 15 league objectives final time period, after hitting 12 the 12 months earlier than that. For comparability, Semenyo scored simply 11 and eight objectives, respectively, throughout the final two top-flight campaigns.

The Bournemouth star’s inventory is hovering, however it’s Cunha’s ceiling that seems to be even larger.

At a time of such chaos once more beneath Amorim, United’s new Tevez must shoulder a lot of the attacking burden. There is not any denying he’ll relish that.

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