Manchester United’s season has been defined by a lack of goals and a lack of identity. Despite spending heavily in the summer to bring in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, the side has yet to find a rhythm in attack. The numbers are worrying: chances are being created but rarely finished, the build-up feels disjointed, and Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure to find a solution.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has now put forward a bold suggestion. Speaking on the team’s recent struggles, he highlighted Mbeumo as the potential answer to United’s striking woes — not from the wing, where he is most comfortable, but as a central No. 9.
It is a proposal that raises eyebrows but deserves deeper exploration. Could Mbeumo, a player best known as a wide forward, really thrive as the focal point of United’s attack? And would such a shift unlock the best from Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, and Cunha?
The Problem: Bruno Fernandes Out of Position
Hargreaves’ main concern is how the summer arrivals have impacted Bruno Fernandes.
“Bruno is one of the best creators in the division,” Hargreaves explained. “But right now, he’s being forced into a box-to-box role. He’s playing deeper to get on the ball and create, but that’s not his natural game.”
This is a crucial point. Fernandes’ output has always been highest when he operates as a No. 10 just behind the striker. He thrives in pockets of space, orchestrating attacks, threading passes, and taking shots from the edge of the area. Forcing him deeper limits those qualities and leaves United without their most effective creative outlet in advanced areas.
United’s decision to recruit Cunha and Mbeumo — both players comfortable in attacking midfield roles — has only compounded the problem. Instead of complementing Bruno, they’ve inadvertently created congestion in his zone, pushing him further back on the pitch.
The Case for Mbeumo as a Striker
Hargreaves’ solution is to flip the system. Instead of playing Mbeumo as another No. 10 or wide forward, he suggests deploying him as the striker — with Bruno restored to the No. 10 role and Cunha supporting alongside him.
This may sound unconventional, but tactically, it carries logic.
1. Mbeumo’s Movement and Finishing
Mbeumo may not be a traditional centre-forward, but he has shown an eye for goal during his time in the Premier League. At Brentford, he regularly played as part of a two-man strike partnership, drifting wide but also arriving centrally to finish chances. His ability to attack space, time runs, and press from the front made him a handful for defenders.
As United’s striker, Mbeumo wouldn’t need to hold up play like a classic No. 9. Instead, he could stretch defences with his pace, make diagonal runs into the box, and link with Bruno and Cunha just behind him.
2. Creating Space for Bruno
By moving Mbeumo forward, Bruno Fernandes is freed from deeper duties. He could return to his preferred central attacking role, receiving the ball closer to goal and dictating play. With Mbeumo pinning defenders and making forward runs, Bruno would have the time and space to pick passes — something United have sorely lacked in recent games.
3. Cunha as the Hybrid Player
Cunha, meanwhile, could operate in a supporting role, alternating between pressing high, drifting wide, and combining with Bruno. His versatility makes him ideal for this hybrid function. Instead of clogging the central areas with Bruno, Cunha would become the link between midfield and attack, giving United fluidity in the final third.
The Role of Amad Diallo
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this system could be Amad Diallo. Hargreaves suggested that Amad might even be utilised as a wing-back if Amorim persists with his current shape.
That would be a big ask of the young Ivorian, but there’s another option: use Amad as a wide forward in a slightly adjusted system. With Mbeumo central, Amad could provide width and creativity on the flanks. He offers something unique — direct dribbling and the ability to unlock defences — that United currently lack in wide areas.
Amad’s loan spell at Sunderland proved he can handle responsibility. If given freedom alongside Bruno and Cunha, he could become a crucial part of United’s attacking puzzle.
Why Hargreaves’ Idea Has Merit
At first glance, playing Mbeumo as a striker may look like desperation. After all, he isn’t a natural centre-forward. But football has countless examples of wide players successfully transitioning into central roles: Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexis Sánchez, even Mohamed Salah has operated centrally at times.
The key is creating a system that amplifies Mbeumo’s strengths while compensating for his lack of traditional centre-forward qualities. He doesn’t need to be a target man; he needs to be a runner, a finisher, and a pressing trigger. With Bruno behind him, supplying chances, the experiment could yield results.
The Bigger Question: Amorim’s Flexibility
The real issue, however, is whether Ruben Amorim is willing to adapt. So far, United’s manager has stuck rigidly to his tactical blueprint, often forcing players into roles that don’t maximise their strengths. This has led to growing criticism, particularly as results continue to falter.
Hargreaves’ suggestion, therefore, is not just about Mbeumo. It’s about the need for Amorim to be flexible, to look at the tools he has and reimagine their use. If he persists with the same approach, United’s attacking struggles will likely continue. If he takes a calculated risk, like deploying Mbeumo centrally, it could spark a turnaround.
The Importance of Supporting Bruno Fernandes
At the heart of this discussion is Bruno Fernandes. Love him or criticise him, he remains United’s most consistent creative outlet. As Hargreaves rightly pointed out:
“I can’t imagine where they’d be without him. What he’s been able to produce in terms of consistency, that’s what you need from everybody.”
Restoring Bruno to his natural role is essential. Whether it’s Mbeumo up front or another solution, the system must be built to maximise his influence.
Conclusion: A Risk Worth Taking?
Manchester United’s problems will not be solved overnight, and moving Bryan Mbeumo into a striker’s role is by no means a guaranteed fix. But as Owen Hargreaves highlights, something must change. The current set-up leaves Bruno Fernandes wasted in deeper areas, the attack toothless, and fans frustrated.
Deploying Mbeumo as a No. 9 may feel unconventional, but it could unlock balance: Bruno in his best role, Cunha linking play, Amad offering width, and United finally having a mobile forward who stretches defences.
