Manchester United’s attack has suddenly become one of the biggest talking points around Old Trafford, and the problem may not simply be a lack of quality. It could be how that quality is being fitted together. 👀🔴
The return of Marcus Rashford has created a major tactical headache for Michael Carrick. Rashford naturally prefers operating from the left, but that has pushed Matheus Cunha into a central false-nine role, despite the Brazilian looking more comfortable when he can drift from the left or operate deeper. Recent analysis has specifically highlighted how Rashford’s return has disrupted the balance of Carrick’s attacking setup.
And suddenly, United fans are asking an uncomfortable question:
Are we watching history repeat itself? 😳
During Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s era, Manchester United often faced a similar dilemma when trying to accommodate Rashford on the left. Other attackers had to adjust their positions or accept reduced opportunities so Rashford could remain in his preferred role.
Now, Cunha appears to be the player paying the tactical price.
The Brazilian has been used as a false nine, but that experiment has not produced the same threat United can get from him when he has freedom to move from the left. The Independent noted that Cunha has struggled in the false-nine role, with his only goal this season coming when he started from the left against Sabah.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Šeško is waiting. 👀
The £66m striker has repeatedly found himself on the bench, including against Manchester City, where he was introduced only after United had already struggled to take advantage of City’s numerical disadvantage.
That decision has triggered even more debate.
Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin argued that United lack a genuine central threat when Cunha plays as the false nine, saying the team need a player capable of occupying the opposition centre-backs.
And the numbers from the derby only intensified the discussion. United faced 10-man Manchester City for almost 70 minutes but struggled to create enough danger through the middle, eventually losing 1–0.
🔥 So what is the solution?
One possible approach would be to use Šeško as the traditional No.9 while allowing Rashford and Cunha to compete for or rotate through the wide/inside-left role.
That would mean players operating closer to their natural strengths rather than forcing Cunha to become something he isn’t.
It could also give United a completely different attacking dimension.
Šeško provides the physical presence and penalty-box threat.
Cunha brings creativity, dribbling and movement.
Rashford provides explosive pace and direct running.
Mbeumo offers movement and goal threat from the right.
Bruno remains the creative brain behind them. 🔥🔴
The problem isn’t a shortage of attacking talent.
It’s finding the right balance.
The Guardian has already pointed out that United’s attacking quartet has shown flashes of quality but has struggled to consistently function as a cohesive unit.
And that is where Carrick faces his biggest challenge.
Trying to fit every big-name attacker into the same XI can look brilliant on paper, but football isn’t played on paper. If putting Rashford on the left means moving Cunha away from his strongest position, while keeping Šeško on the bench removes a genuine No.9, United could end up with five dangerous attackers but no properly balanced attack. 😮💨
The question isn’t whether Rashford should play.
The question is whether United should reshape the entire attack around one player’s preferred position.
Because if Cunha continues to look less effective centrally while Šeško watches from the bench, the comparisons with the problems of the past will only become louder. 👀⚔️
Carrick has the attackers. Now he has to find the attack. 🔴🔥
#MUFC #ManchesterUnited #GGMU #Rashford #Cunha #Sesko #Mbeumo #Carrick #PremierLeague
