Manchester United consider multi-forward solution as poor goal record forces strategic rethink

Attacking inefficiency prompts tactical overhaul

Manchester United are preparing for the summer transfer window with a structural shift in attacking recruitment. Under manager Ruben Amorim, the club is targeting multi-functional forwards capable of operating across different zones rather than pursuing a classic centre-forward.

United have scored just 42 goals in the Premier League this season — fewer than 14 other teams. In contrast, their UEFA Europa League final opponents Tottenham Hotspur have netted 63 goals during the same period.

Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for only seven league goals, while Bruno Fernandes, the club’s top scorer, has eight. These figures have accelerated the club’s search for adaptable attackers who offer movement, width, and pressing intensity — not just penalty-box finishing.

Transfer budget tied to major outgoings

According to ESPN, Manchester United’s summer transfer budget is projected to reach £200 million, but only if key player sales materialise. The club is reportedly open to offers for Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Casemiro, and André Onana.

Despite their ambitions, club officials are said to be mindful of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). As reported by ESPN, United are operating near the upper financial limits and risk sanctions if expenditure exceeds thresholds without adequate balancing from sales.

Cunha tops shortlist in versatile forward push

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester United are planning to recruit more than one “non-traditional” forward. Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers is top of their list, with the club reportedly prepared to activate his £62.5 million release clause.

Initial talks have taken place, and United are expected to formalise an offer once the clause becomes active in the summer window. Cunha’s ability to drop deep, operate in wide channels, and create space suits Amorim’s fluid 3-4-3 structure.

Bryan Mbeumo attracting elite-level interest

Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford is another high-priority option. As reported by The Sun, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are also monitoring the Cameroonian international, whose market value is around £60 million. Brentford manager Thomas Frank told Sky Sports earlier this season that the club would consider selling Mbeumo under favourable conditions.

Semenyo deal complex but feasible

Antoine Semenyo has also emerged as a credible target. According to The Sun (April 21, 2025), United are leading the race for the Bournemouth forward. He has scored 10 goals across all competitions this season, with 9 goals and 5 assists in the Premier League, plus 2 FA Cup goals. Bournemouth reportedly value him at £70 million, though United are considering a structured deal with incentives rather than an upfront fee.

Tyler Dibling: high-value risk for long-term gain

Tyler Dibling, the 18-year-old Southampton prospect, represents United’s most speculative investment. Despite limited top-flight experience, Southampton are demanding £100 million — citing his contract through 2027 and elite-level development curve.

According to The Times, the club believes Dibling's trajectory could mirror that of Jack Grealish, who joined Manchester City for a similar fee in 2021. TEAMtalk reports that Tottenham Hotspur made a £35 million bid in January, which was swiftly rejected. 90min suggests United would only proceed at Southampton’s asking price if they secure Champions League qualification.

Dibling’s 2024/25 season includes 31 senior appearances and 2 goals. Despite his limited senior experience, Dibling’s technical balance and adaptability have positioned him among Europe’s most closely monitored teenage prospects — though his £100 million valuation remains divisive.

System-focused recruitment under Amorim

At Manchester United, manager Ruben Amorim’s approach to positioning is not merely a formation choice — it’s a framework for rebuilding the team’s attacking and defensive identity from the ground up. While his preferred setup starts as a 3-4-3, it frequently shifts into a fluid 2-2-3-3 structure in possession. Players rotate constantly, wing-backs stretch the pitch wide, and the front three are tasked not only with attacking, but with applying high-intensity pressure on the opposition’s back line.

At the heart of this structure lie the central midfielders, who dictate the team’s tempo. They are expected to play both ways, manage transitions, and maintain composure under pressure. In Amorim’s vision, these players aren’t just passers or link-men — they are the ones who stabilise defensive transitions, orchestrate attacking flow, and act as the decision-makers at the core of the game.

In this system, forwards are not judged solely on goals. They are expected to create space through constant movement, disrupt defenders, and contribute on both sides of the ball. United’s summer pursuit of multi-functional, positionally fluid forwards is not about short-term fixes — it reflects a lasting shift in how the club defines its attacking philosophy. This transfer window could mark the beginning of Amorim’s tactical foundation at Old Trafford.