Manchester United’s attacking duo Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have been lauded by football pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, who reached an agreement on the pair following their 4-2 win over Brighton. This marks the third consecutive victory for United under the leadership of Ruben Amorim, building on their previous successes against Sunderland and Liverpool.
United quickly established a 2-0 lead in Saturday’s match against the Seagulls, thanks to Matheus Cunha’s inaugural goal for the club and a deflected strike from Casemiro. Mbeumo, who joined from Brentford this summer, added his third goal for the club with a superb finish past Bart Verbruggen in the second half.
Despite a tense finish at Old Trafford due to Danny Welbeck’s free-kick and Charalampos Kostoulas’ header, Mbeumo found the back of the net once more, capping off another commendable performance for Amorim’s side.
After the weekend’s fixtures, United are currently sixth in the Premier League table after nine matches. They’re just two points behind second-placed Bournemouth and one point ahead of reigning champions Liverpool, who have now endured four consecutive defeats.
Since their 3-1 loss to Brentford at the end of September, United have secured maximum points in their last three matches and seem to be finally finding their rhythm in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. The summer signings Mbeumo and Cunha, who together cost over £120million, have both played pivotal roles in revitalising United’s attack.
On the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Shearer and Richards praised the impact of the duo on United. “You’ve got to give big credit to Man United,” stated Shearer.
“After their result last weekend, you can imagine if you win at Liverpool and then you don’t win at home, you know what the scenario is and what everyone would be saying. [It’s a] big win for them.
“Mbeumo getting a couple of goals. [They were] under pressure in the last few minutes, but then he gets that goal and it’s all over. That result, along with the run they’re on, will give everyone confidence and a huge belief that his system can work.
“Let’s see, good result, but let’s see in the next month or so. Going forward, you’ve got to say well done to them.”
Richards then agreed: “What Man United have been crying out for is, if you’re going to play that system, to be brave. Luke Shaw was very brave in the way he stopped in and they go and get the goal.
“If you look at the positioning of Cunha, he was filling in that midfield role. The system can work, I just don’t think they played it in the right way, or have the players to do that. This is the first time I’ve been convinced that they know what their roles are.
“I agree with Alan now, the challenge now is consistency. Mbeumo, you give him time and space, he’s going to hurt you and he played really well.”
Lineker followed that with praise for Cunha, who had previously failed to score for United.
“He’s really good Mbeumo,” Lineker added.
“I mean he’s also, I suppose, the question mark again, someone that’s done consistently well at a club like Brentford with all due respect, is to then jump to one of the giants in world football and be able to handle it.
“Clearly he can. It’s not phased him in the slightest. I would say the same for Cunha. Obviously, he’s got the experience of Atletico Madrid, which you know, is obviously one of the big boys in Spain, but Manchester United is a little different.”
Shearer interjected: “And they’ve gone there at the most difficult time as well, haven’t they? I mean, it’s not as if they’re going into a football club that’s flowing and winning games and all of that.
“They’ve gone into a really turbulent club that has had a really tough time and it’s toughest time to go in there and perform. He’s done really well.”
