Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has given his two cents on two of his old side’s summer signings.
Instant impact
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have both impressed since they have come into the team. Mbeumo has scored two goals in his last two matches.
Cunha has been unlucky hitting the post and coming across in form keepers but his impact on the team is still clear to see.
It was relayed here yesterday that “Manchester United have made more off-ball runs behind the opponents defensive line than any other team in the Premier League this season (131). Bryan Mbeumo has made the most of any player (54).”
This highlights the added dynamism to the team that these two, especially Mbeumo have made.
Key aspects of modern football
Speaking on Andy Mitten’s United We Stand YouTube channel, Ferdinand was asked his thoughts on the two signings.
He retorted, “do you know what I like about those two signings? All I have said on my podcasts for the last couple of years is we lack pace, power, aggression throughout the whole team? Who do we have in the whole squad that has pace and power? Dorgu? Premier League is about that, the game is about that now.”
Ferdinand stated the importance of these key aspects of modern football and pointed to the European champions Paris Saint-Germain as an example of this.
He elaborated, “look at the best team, PSG, you’ve got pace everywhere and you look at our team and there isn’t enough of it and Cunha and Mbeumo bring that.”
Premier League experience
For many years, some United fans have questioned the club’s lack of signings from the Premier League.
Cunha and Mbeumo have both been successful in the league for a long time and Ferdinand spoke on the importance of this.
He added, “those two give us Premier League experience, they give us the know-how to score goals and they give us the ability to get up the pitch in transitions. They can turn defence into attack quickly and they have shown they can score goals in this league. We haven’t had that.”
The Cameroonian had 20 goals in the league last season and Cunha 15, so United fans will be hoping for similar numbers this season but in the red of United.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
