The obvious debate is between Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
And honestly, there is no easy answer.
Mbeumo has already given United a strong argument for keeping him in the starting XI. The Cameroon international has looked dangerous since arriving, offering pace, direct running, physicality and a genuine goal threat from the right side. He scored United’s opening goal against Everton in the 2-2 draw, producing the kind of individual quality that supporters will expect to see regularly.
He has also already delivered in a Manchester derby, scoring in United’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City earlier this year.
That makes dropping Mbeumo a difficult argument.
Then there is Cunha.
The Brazilian brings something completely different. He is capable of operating between the lines, dropping deeper to link midfield with attack and creating space for teammates. Against Everton, he started alongside Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford, with Carrick using a fluid attacking structure rather than a traditional front three.
However, there is one potential problem.
Cunha’s freedom can sometimes overlap with Bruno Fernandes’ responsibilities. Both players naturally want to drift into similar areas, receive the ball and influence attacks. That can make United dangerous, but it can also leave the team without enough presence in the final defensive line.
That is where Amad could change everything.
Amad offers something United desperately need: unpredictability.
He can receive the ball wide, drive inside, combine with Bruno, attack defenders one-on-one and create chances without needing the entire attack to revolve around him. His return would give Carrick another natural wide option and could make United’s attacking structure more balanced.
So if the choice is strictly between Mbeumo and Cunha, my decision would be Cunha on the bench.
Not because Cunha is a bad player. Far from it.
It is because Mbeumo’s directness and ability to threaten from the right could complement Amad better than another player who likes to operate centrally and roam into Bruno’s territory.
Imagine United having Amad on one side, Mbeumo on the other, Benjamin Sesko through the middle and Bruno Fernandes behind them.
That would give United pace, width, creativity, physicality and a proper central target.
And suddenly Cunha becomes one of the most dangerous weapons available from the bench.
That could actually be a major advantage.
Imagine bringing Cunha on against tired defenders after 60 or 70 minutes. His dribbling, creativity and ability to find pockets of space could completely change the game.
The recent Everton match showed just how much attacking quality United possess, but it also showed that Carrick is still searching for the perfect combination. United led twice before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, with Mbeumo and substitute Sesko providing the goals.
So perhaps the answer isn’t about who is the better player.
It is about who creates the best team.
For me, when Amad returns, Cunha should be the one starting on the bench, while Mbeumo keeps his place.
But this is Manchester United.
Having a player of Cunha’s quality waiting on the bench could be a luxury Carrick desperately needs.
Amad or Mbeumo? Mbeumo or Cunha? United fans, who would you drop?
