The 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been an eye-opener for everyone involved at Manchester United Football Club, as the team has languished in the bottom half of the table.
Ruben Amorim’s failure to replace him has allowed the Red Devils to drop to 15th place in England’s top flight – the worst since the club was founded in 1992.
The lack of points has undoubtedly been a result of their inability to score, as United have registered just 44 goals in their 38 league outings.
However, last summer’s £200m spending spree provided Michael Carrick with a wealth of attacking talent that has turned the club’s fortunes around in recent times.
With just four games to go, his men have scored 60 goals, leading to Champions League football returning to Old Trafford and the chance to continue to improve at the top level.
Man Utd will make a £40m bid for the star this summer
Despite some impressive attacking numbers in recent months, a host of forward-thinking talents have already been linked with a summer deal to join United.
Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi is just one player in the management’s ranks, and the German has once again attracted interest after being on their shortlist.
The 24-year-old has netted seven times in the Bundesliga so far this campaign, but could be snapped up for £52m next window.
However, the speedster is not the only option being considered by INEOS at the moment, as AC Milan star Rafael Leao has also emerged as a potential target for the Red Devils.
According to reports in Italy, Carrick’s boys are willing to make a bid for the Portuguese player who has scored ten goals in all competitions this season.
The report also claims that United have been watching the 26-year-old for the past few months, which has increased interest in his signature.
Reports from last week revealed that Man United have already opened talks about a move and now they look set to increase their interest even further.
Although Calciomercato have not revealed a fee for his services this summer, other outlets have claimed the striker could be available for around £40m when the window opens.
Why Leao would be the best fit for United’s Mbeumo
As part of a £200m spending spree, United completed the £71m signing of striker Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford after scoring 20 goals for the Bees last season.4
The Cameroonian’s departure created a sensation at Old Trafford, and the 26-year-old has lived up to the hype in his first few months in Manchester.
He had scored nine league goals at the start of February, after which he remains the Red Devils’ top scorer after the first 25 games of the 2025/26 campaign.
However, Mbeumo has struggled in front of goal in recent months as the striker has played nine games without scoring a goal, which has made Benjamin Sesko overtake him as the top scorer.
|
Man Utd PL Top Goals (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Mathematics |
|
Benjamin Sesko |
10 |
|
Bryan Mbeumo |
9 |
|
Casemiro |
9 |
|
Matheus Kunha |
8 |
|
Bruno Fernandes |
8 |
|
Mason Mount |
3 |
|
Patrick Dorgu |
3 |
|
Mad Diallo |
2 |
His recent performances have been a cause for concern behind the scenes, which has no doubt fueled recent rumors of a summer move to Leao.
The Portuguese-born player has been one of the best players in Europe, and was even linked with United before completing Mbeumo’s deal.
However, the £40m fee for his signing would be a fair price for the 26-year-old, who has been able to surpass the Cameroonian in various attacking areas.
Leao, described as “one of the best wingers in the world” by commentator and Como scout Ben Mattinson, has registered a higher shot on target rate than the current United star this campaign.
Such a tally no doubt reflects his ability to make the most of his opportunities in the final third, with Mbeumo’s wastefulness having been a topic of concern in recent weeks.
The AC Milan star also completed the most dribbles per 90 this season, and created the most chances per 90 – with his rate of 0.5 ranking him in the top 8% of the division’s forwards.
The winger’s quality with the ball at his feet is further demonstrated by his high passing rate, while completing crosses into opposition areas this campaign.
All the statistics mentioned above undoubtedly prove that Leao is a talent who can step up to the next level when needed – he is undoubtedly one of the continents biggest stars.
£40m for a player of the striker’s caliber in today’s market would be a fantastic deal and would take United’s attack to another level.
There is no doubt that Mbeumo will be disappointed to lose his first job due to any transfer, but in the end, football is a tough industry and will leave players behind if they fail to deliver.
Carrick must drop Man Utd’s 18-pass flop and become the new Garnacho
Manchester United cemented their place in third place with a 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.
