Manchester United’s 2024/25 campaign handed Ruben Amorim and the hierarchy a huge task of winning the fanbase over ahead of the ongoing season.
The Red Devils’ 15th-place finish in the Premier League was nothing short of an embarrassment, with such a standing the club’s lowest since the division’s formation back in 1992.
The Europa League gave the manager a chance to redeem himself, but such a competition brought about more misery – losing the final in Bilbao to fellow English strugglers Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite all the failures of Amorim’s debut year at Old Trafford, the hierarchy decided to stick with the 40-year-old for 2025/26 – even handing him over £200m worth of funds to improve the first-team squad.
However, further embarrassing defeats against League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup once again led to rumours over the manager’s long-term future in the role.
He’s since managed to win three league games in a row for the first time in his tenure, with some of his tactical tweaks finally starting to take effect 12 months on from his appointment.
The impact of Bruno & Mbeumo in Amorim’s system at United
Despite United struggling massively last season, it didn’t stop club captain Bruno Fernandes from impressing and producing some astonishing numbers in the final third.
The 31-year-old ended 2024/25 on a combined 37 goals and assists, by far and away the highest tally of any player in the squad – with his efforts saving the club from a relegation battle.
However, after the recent summer spending spree, the Portuguese international has been forced to operate in a deep-lying central midfield role – but it hasn’t taken away from his incredible ability in attacking areas.
Bruno currently sits on a total of four goal contributions, but his underlying stats highlight the bearing he is still having on creating carnage for the opposition.
In the recent Premier League outing against Nottingham Forest, he registered a total of four chances created – the most of any player on the pitch at the City Ground.
Bruno has also created the most chances of any player in the first-team squad this campaign, with his average of 2.8 per 90 ranking him in the top 3% of all players in the division.
Most of his opportunities have fallen the way of Bryan Mbeumo, with the 26-year-old tasked with the responsibility of transforming the club’s lack of quality in the final third.
The Cameroonian cost a whopping £71m including add-ons from Brentford, but has already made an immediate impact despite the pressure of the price tag looming over him.
He’s scored four times in his first ten outings for the Red Devils, but like Bruno, his underlying figures are the ones that greatly highlight his impact in the Premier League during 2025/26.
Mbeumo’s total of 1.4 shots on target per 90 ranks him in the top 4% of all players in the division, undoubtedly contributing to his impressive goalscoring tally.
He also ranks in the top 4% for crosses completed and the top 10% for successful dribbles – further reaffirming how he’s helped transform the club’s ability to impress in front of goal.
The United star who’s becoming the best in the world
The impact of Bruno and Mbeumo in the final third simply can’t be understated, with the duo playing a key role in United’s recent revival under Amorim this season.
The pair have played a key role in the majority of the club’s goals in the Premier League this campaign, with such a situation night and day from the previous year.
Amorim’s men have already netted 17 league goals in just 10 outings to date, which is already 45% of the efforts registered during the embarrassing 2024/25 campaign.
Such an investment has already been worthwhile, which has certainly set the first team on the right trajectory for success if they can sustain such levels in the years ahead.
As for the defensive department, they have often come under fire for their lack of quality – with the majority of which being directed to goalkeeper Andre Onana.
However, the centre-backs in front of the shot-stopper didn’t cover themselves in glory, resulting in the Red Devils conceding 44 times in just 38 matches.
The hierarchy backed Amorim in the summer, as previously mentioned, even landing a new goalkeeper in the form of Senne Lammens from Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp.
The 23-year-old cost a fee in the region of £18m during the recent window, subsequently being an investment for the immediate and long-term future at Old Trafford.
His arrival has brought a newfound sense of confidence in the defensive department, already keeping a clean sheet and only conceding five times in his four senior outings for the Red Devils.
Amorim’s men currently remain unbeaten during the youngster’s spell in the first-team, which is no coincidence given the struggles of those who have filled the void before him.
His stats from the early stages of his career at Old Trafford no doubt highlight his impressive start to life in England, which has seen the side rise up England’s top-flight.
Games played
4
Minutes played
360
Saves made
12
Goals prevented
0.4
Goals conceded
5
Clean sheets
1
High claims
5
Passes completed
48
Lammens has achieved a 71% save percentage to date, whilst making three saves per 90 – tallies which have certainly prevented the side in numerous key moments.
He’s also achieved a goals prevented xG of 0.38, ranking him in the top 8% of all ‘keepers in the league – which has led to one analyst tipping him to become one of the “best in the world”.
The Belgian’s ability to quickly transition the play has also aided Mbeumo and Bruno, with his tally of 8.8 accurate long balls per 90 able to quickly start a counterattack for Amorim’s men.
Given his tender age, it’s certainly frightening how exciting Lammens could be at United, with the 23-year-old able to fill the void between the sticks for at least the next decade.
Should he carry on his current path under Amorim, there’s no reason as to why he can’t play a vital role in any success endured by the Red Devils in the near future.
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