Man United legend Wayne Rooney says that Bryan Mbeumo has had the “most positive” impact of all the club’s summer signings.

The Cameroon international was one of 5 new arrivals during the last transfer window, and Rooney has been impressed by what he has seen from the forward:

“I think he’s been a real positive for Man United this season. I think his energy, his running off the ball, his commitment, he’s scored a couple of goals, he could have had more.”

“So, I’ve been really happy. I think he’s been, out of all the signings, the most positive one.”

United now have long-sought-after goal threat from the right wing

The Red Devils have struggled to find a solution to their problems on the right-hand side for several years. They splashed out huge sums on Jadon Sancho and Antony without much success.

Amad Diallo has staked his claim over the past 12 months but head coach Ruben Amorim wanted an experienced player on the right who can score and contribute assists on a consistent basis. With Mbeumo, it is hoped that United have finally found their man.

How have United’s 4 other summer signings fared?

Matheus Cunha has caught the eye but a hamstring injury has limited his impact up until now. Benjamin Sesko is still getting up to speed in a United shirt, having arrived late in the summer.

Senne Lammens has yet to make his debut. Many hoped that the Belgian would have replaced Altay Bayindir in goal by now but Amorim has kept faith with the Turkish international, despite the keeper’s obvious flaws.

Diego Leon, meanwhile, did impress in pre-season but the Paraguayan has not been deemed ready for senior action, despite making the bench against Grimsby Town in the Carabo Cup and for the Manchester derby.

Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here

Paul Merson believes Man United “should have” targeted Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, rather than Benjamin Sesko, during the summer transfer window.

Alvarez left Manchester City for £82m last year, and had a strong first season in Spain, scoring 29 goals in all competitions, and Merson says he would have been a much better fit for United’s front three:

“Manchester United are not playing the kind of football that suits him. Bryan Mbeumo wants to score goals, and Matheus Cunha likes to dribble.”

“I don’t expect either of them to drift wide and swing in crosses for Šeško. I honestly don’t know where Sesko will get his first goal from at the moment and it’s a massive worry for United.”

“They should have gone for a striker like Julian Alvarez, that type of player would have worked well with Mbeumo and Cunha.”

Alvarez was not for sale

Following his excellent first season with Atletico, there was never any realistic chance of the La Liga side selling their main No.9.

You also have to question whether Alvarez would have been interested in moving to Old Trafford anyway, considering the absence of European football.

Sesko has time on his side to come good for United

Merson is painting the Slovenian as some sort of target man with limited ability. There is much more to his game than that. For a man of his size, he does possess plenty of speed.

One of Sesko’s former coaches has even said that he has the potential to be as good as Erling Haaland. It remains to be seen whether that will happen, but some patience is required.

The 22-year-old has made six appearances and played just 295 minutes since signing from RB Leipzig. Once he has settled into life in the Premier League, we should see the best of him.

Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here

Man United are weighing up whether to keep Harry Maguire beyond the end of the season, but they may offer a contract which is worth less than his current £190,000 a week salary, according to reports.

The 32-year-old’s current deal expires next June, but there is a desire to retain his services past the summer.

Maguire signed a six-year contract when he joined from Leicester City for £80m in 2019, but the Red Devils included an option to extend his stay for an additional twelve months.

That option was triggered back in January this year, so as things stand, he will be a free agent if he doesn’t sign another extension. The Sun claim that United do want to retain him if he is willing to accept a lower wage.

Maguire continues to play regularly

Despite being stripped of the captain’s armband in 2023, and being offered out to clubs like West Ham, the defender was steadfast in his determination to stay at Old Trafford.

Over the past couple of years, Maguire has earned plaudits for how he has buckled down and worked hard to regain his standing in the first-team squad.

The centre-back will likely receive offers from other teams, but based on his actions since losing the captaincy, you would think that his preference would be to remain in Manchester.

Other players are set to leave United

While Maguire could be retained, other members of the first-team squad could be released when their contracts expire.

New deals are not expected to be offered to the likes of Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia or Tom Heaton. They cost a combined £156m to sign but it looks like (with the exception of Sancho, who has a 1-year option), they could be let go for nothing.

Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here