Manchester United offered plenty of promise in their latest outing at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim’s side showcasing a sharp, free-flowing attacking style that repeatedly unsettled the opposition. Although four goals found the net, the head coach is likely to feel there was room for more, especially after several clear chances went begging, including a few glaring misses from Bryan Mbeumo. The possible return of Benjamin Šeško may add another dimension, but the Slovenian forward has struggled to make a major impact since his expensive summer arrival, scoring just twice so far.
The hunt for a dependable, match-winning striker remains high on Amorim’s agenda, echoing the hugely successful formula he once enjoyed with Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting CP. While Gyökeres flourished under Amorim’s guidance in Portugal, his move to Arsenal has yet to deliver the same returns, underlining just how important the right system and role can be. United, meanwhile, are still searching for that commanding presence to lead the line.
There has been noticeable progress going forward this season, with United already registering 30 Premier League goals from 16 matches, a significant improvement on last campaign’s total of 44. Even so, the fact that Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro are among the team’s leading scorers highlights a lingering issue: the forwards are not contributing enough consistently.
Reports suggest INEOS are ready to make a serious move in January for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. United are said to be confident of edging out Manchester City in the race for the £65 million-rated attacker, possibly taking advantage of uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future. Interest in Semenyo dates back to the summer, when an £80 million asking price put the brakes on any deal.
Within Amorim’s tactical vision, Semenyo is viewed as a potential successor to the Gyökeres role. Much like the Swedish striker, his rise has been gradual, honing his game in the lower leagues before breaking through at Premier League level. This season, he has been directly involved in ten goals, placing him among the division’s standout performers. Analyst Ben Mattinson has labelled him an attacking “monster,” praising his speed, strength and adaptability, qualities that allow him to operate across the frontline or even drop into a wing-back role if required.
Landing Semenyo would hand Amorim a powerful, high-energy weapon in attack, with the potential to form a formidable partnership alongside Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha as Manchester United aim to build real momentum under their new leadership.
