Pre-Season Starts for Real – Now It Matters
United’s pre-season so far has felt like ticking boxes. Leeds and Hong Kong were just run-outs. But now, with West Ham up next and a few new faces through the door, things are getting real.
The summer started strong. Matheus Cunha was done early a signing that gave fans genuine hope. But then things slowed. The Mbeumo deal dragged for what felt like forever. Over a month of back-and-forth, stalling and waiting.
To be fair, fans used to beg the club to hold firm or walk away if a deal didn’t make sense. That’s what United tried to do here. The only issue? While we stalled, others got moving. Elanga to Newcastle. Maatsen back to Chelsea. It’s fine to take time, but if Elanga goes for £55m, you’d expect a consistent Premier League forward like Mbeumo who scored 20 last season to cost more.
So yes, time was needed. But could we not have worked on other deals at the same time? Maybe it’s harder than it looks. The post-UCL budget is tight, but these are signings we badly need. Cunha and Mbeumo bring what we’ve lacked goals and assists at this level.
Don’t Stop Now – A Striker Has to Follow
The worst outcome now would be stopping here. Cunha and Mbeumo are great starts, but we’re crying out for a proper No 9. Not just any striker, one who can link with these two and push us into top four contention. Or at least keep us in the 4th-7th fight.
It won’t be easy. The league’s getting tougher. The top teams are spending well. Arsenal just finalised a deal for Gyökeres, which is a bit of a blow. I like him physical and relentless, but wasn’t fully convinced. He lacks headed goals, and for Arsenal that might be a gap. They seemed to want Sesko. Arteta definitely did. He’s taller, better in the air, higher ceiling.
Now for our list: Nicolas Jackson, Ollie Watkins, Benjamin Sesko and yes, even Mitrovic has been name-dropped. I know how that sounds.
Jackson is getting flak from the fanbase but has something about him. He’s already got a 12-goal Premier League season under his belt. He’s quick, awkward, raw but useful.
Watkins is my ideal pick. Proven, well-rounded, consistent. But Villa want £50m+. Big question: will INEOS drop that kind of money on a 29-year-old with no resale value?
Sesko? I really rate him. He’s 22, 6’5″, and has already put together three solid seasons between Salzburg and Leipzig. Scoring 12-15 goals a year in the Bundesliga at that age isn’t nothing. People saying he’s “just another Højlund” haven’t done their homework. The man has 100 senior games. This season’s dip? That whole Leipzig side struggled. He wasn’t the issue.
Some think the price is too steep. Maybe it is. But if Arsenal were eyeing him before landing Gyökeres, you know the talent is real. If I had to pick: Watkins first, then Sesko, then Jackson. I’d honestly be happy with any of the three.
Other names in the mix? Moise Kean not a fan. Kolo Muani on loan hard pass. Gonçalo Ramos on loan, though? That could be massive. Numbers are great for someone who doesn’t start every game. Could be one of the smartest moves we make.
What Else Do We Need?
So beyond a striker? A keeper, definitely. Maybe a midfielder – although “maybe” might be generous.
Bruno in a pivot doesn’t work. Love the man, but his lack of discipline without the ball causes gaps. Best combo we’ve seen so far is Ugarte with Mainoo. If not that, Bruno and Mainoo. Either way, Mainoo starts. He has to. He’s the future. And that raises questions: do we still sign another midfielder? Do we trust internal options? Where does everyone fit?
In goal, the targets are clear. Senne Lammens from Antwerp—affordable at £15–20m. Then there’s Emi Martínez. Solid, reliable, but he’ll cost at least £35m, maybe £45m. I’d pass. Great keeper, but at that price, for his age? Doesn’t feel right.
Rashford to Barca: Let It Go
Rashford’s loan to Barcelona is official now. He wanted the move, and he’s got it. I’m fine with that. Happy for him. What’s disappointing is the fanbase tearing itself up over it.
Look he wasn’t hitting 15 goals a season. He was inconsistent. Yes, he had moments. But the effort? Sometimes it wasn’t there. No pressing, no tracking. Just dropped tools.
And before anyone brings up how others were also inconsistent, Rashford, Bruno and Casemiro are the highest earners in the squad. If you’re making over £300k a week, standards matter. Casemiro has faded. Rashford drifted. Let him go. Maybe La Liga suits him. If he locks in, he’ll score goals for Hansi Flick. Pedri feeding him? Would work. But the focus now is on us, not him.
Eyes on Tonight
We face West Ham at midnight BST. Mbeumo should make his debut. Cunha looked sharp against Leeds. Amorim said he’ll give more minutes to the starting XI, no mass subs at halftime. Good, the team needs to gel.
More thoughts coming soon in the next posts, where I’ll deep dive into Cunha, Mbeumo, Watkins, and Sesko.
Till then take care.
YANITED. YANITED.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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