The 2024/25 Premier League campaign was a stark eye-opener for everyone involved at Manchester United Football Club, as the side languished in the bottom half of the table.
Ruben Amorim’s failed tenure only allowed the Red Devils to secure a 15th-placed finish in England’s top-flight – the worst since the division’s formation in 1992.
The lack of points undoubtedly was a result of the inability to find the back of the net, as United only registered a measly tally of 44 goals within their 38 league outings.
However, the £200m spending spree last summer has handed Michael Carrick a plethora of attacking talents who have managed to transform the club’s fortunes in recent times.
With just four games remaining, his men have netted 60 goals, leading to the prospect of Champions League football returning to Old Trafford and the opportunity to further improve the senior ranks.
Man Utd to make offer for £40m star this summer
Despite the impressive attacking numbers in recent months, a number of forward-thinking talents have already been linked with a summer deal to join United.
Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi is just one player currently in the hierarchy’s sights, with the German international once again of interest after previously being on their shortlist.
The 24-year-old has netted seven times in the Bundesliga so far this campaign, but could be available for a fee in the region of £52m during the upcoming window.
However, the speedster isn’t the only option being considered by INEOS at present, as AC Milan star Rafael Leao has also emerged as a potential target for the Red Devils.
According to reports in Italy, Carrick’s men are set to make an offer for the Portugal international, who’s already netted ten goals across all competitions this term.
The report also states that United have been watching the 26-year-old in recent months, which has only increased the interest in landing his signature.
Reports last week suggested that Man United had already opened talks regarding a move and they now look set to step up their interest even further.
Despite Calciomercato not mentioning a fee for his services this summer, other outlets have previously stated that the attacker could be available for as little as £40m when the window opens.
Why Leao would be a huge upgrade on Mbeumo for United
As part of the £200m spending spree, United completed the £71m signing of attacker Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford after he netted 20 goals for the Bees during the season prior.4
The Cameroonian’s move generated huge excitement at Old Trafford, with the 26-year-old certainly living up to such hype during his early months in Manchester.
He had netted nine league goals by the start of February, subsequently sitting as the Red Devils’ top-scorer after the first 25 games of the 2025/26 campaign.
However, Mbeumo has struggled in front of goal over recent months, as the attacker has now gone nine games without a goal, which has seen Benjamin Sesko overtake him in the goalscoring standings.
|
Man Utd PL top goalscorers (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Tally |
|
Benjamin Sesko |
10 |
|
Bryan Mbeumo |
9 |
|
Casemiro |
9 |
|
Matheus Cunha |
8 |
|
Bruno Fernandes |
8 |
|
Mason Mount |
3 |
|
Patrick Dorgu |
3 |
|
Amad Diallo |
2 |
His recent performances have been a cause for concern behind the scenes, which has no doubt fuelled the recent rumours over a summer switch to land Leao.
The Portuguese international has consistently been one of Europe’s leading attacking talents, even being linked with United even before completing a deal for Mbeumo.
However, the £40m fee for his signature could be a perfect price point for the 26-year-old, who’s managed to outperform the Cameroonian in various key attacking areas.
Leao, described as “one of the best wingers in the world” by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, has registered a higher shot on target accuracy rate than the current United star this campaign.
Such a tally undoubtedly demonstrates his ability to make the most of his chances in the final third, with Mbeumo’s wasteful nature becoming an issue over recent weeks.
The AC Milan star has also completed more dribbles per 90 this term, whilst creating more big chances per 90 – with his tally of 0.5 in ranking him in the top 8% of forwards in the division.
The winger’s quality with the ball at his feet is further reflected in his higher pass completion rate, whilst also completing more crosses into the opposition area this campaign.
All the aforementioned figures undoubtedly prove that Leao is a talent who is capable of stepping up to the plate when needed – arguably being one of the continents’ biggest stars.
£40m for a player of the attacker’s quality in today’s market would be a phenomenal piece of business and one that could take United’s attack to the next level.
Mbeumo would no doubt be disappointed to lose his starting role as a result of any transfer, but ultimately, football is a cutthroat industry and one that will leave players behind if they’re failing to deliver.
Carrick must drop 18-pass Man Utd flop who’s becoming the new Garnacho
Manchester United consoliate their position in third place with a 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.
