Manchester United, under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, have rocketed up the Premier League table with five victories from their last seven matches. They’re now eyeing a fourth consecutive win as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Despite a shaky start to the season that saw Amorim’s position at Old Trafford questioned, United appear to have steadied the ship. They’ve clinched their last three matches, including a thrilling 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool, and are beginning to reap the benefits of their summer signings.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who both scored in their recent clash against Brighton, will be looking to maintain this momentum when they take on Forest. However, Amorim will soon have to cope without star striker Mbeumo, who joined the club this summer from Brentford for an initial £65million.
Express Sport provides all the latest news from Old Trafford, including advice for a new signing on how to improve and a warning for a loanee about his attitude.
Bryan Mbeumo could miss matches
Mbeumo has hit the ground running under Amorim, already netting four league goals. But just as he’s starting to form a strong bond with his new team-mates, United may have to make do without him for a significant period.
United are set to lose Mbeumo for at least two matches in late December as he heads off to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations. With Cameroon’s group stage matches scheduled from December 24 to December 31, Mbeumo is almost certain to miss United’s fixtures against Newcastle and Wolves.
However, should Brentford advance deeper into the tournament, his absence could extend considerably. The knockout stages begin on January 3, with the Round of 16 running until January 6.
Quarter-final matches are scheduled for January 9 and 10, whilst the semi-finals take place on January 14. The final is set for January 18, with a third-place play-off the day before on January 17.
During this period, United face fixtures against Leeds United, Burnley and a Manchester derby against City, provisionally scheduled for January 17 but potentially subject to alteration. There’s also an FA Cup third-round fixture on the weekend commencing January 10.
Mbeumo risks missing the entire run of matches if Brentford reach the showpiece finale.
Benjamin Sesko given advice
Another recent arrival still finding his feet at Old Trafford is Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old forward arrived from RB Leipzig for £74m during the summer transfer window but has managed only two goals thus far.
Following his underwhelming beginning, former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has offered some guidance.
“Be confident in yourself,” Berbatov said as he aimed a message at Sesko whilst speaking on the Rio Ferdinand presents YouTube channel. “Be arrogant in a way that you demand the ball from your team-mates when you make the run.
“When you make a good run, if the ball doesn’t come for you, say it or express it in a way that your team-mates will understand. That, ‘I am here. I’m making the run for you. Respect my run. Not every time but try to see me and believe in what I can do with that run.’
“Sometimes be angry. Scream, swear at him, whatever. [It’s] not personal. Half-time, before and after the game, speak. Sometimes I think the players need to be more aggressive and emotional, in a way like, ‘Pass me the damn ball, man!'”
Marcus Rashford gets attitude warning
Amorim made it abundantly clear that Marcus Rashford wasn’t part of his vision at United almost from the outset, and following his January loan switch to Aston Villa, the forward secured another temporary move to Barcelona this summer.
In Spain, Rashford has been featuring regularly and delivering strong performances. Whilst there’s no certainty over his Old Trafford future, United icon Bryan Robson has warned the forward must address his mentality should he make a return.
“Marcus is a great talent and everything, but I do think his attitude’s got to change if he does come back to United,” Robson told Grosvenor Casinos. “Barcelona is different because we always know that Barcelona and Real Madrid are going to be dominant in their league.
“He will improve and he will start enjoying his football a little bit better if he were to come back to United. I can’t believe that people say that he’s enjoying the two clubs that he left us for and that you can’t enjoy your football at Man United. That seems crazy to me.”
