Manchester United showed clear signs of progress in their most recent outing at Old Trafford, offering supporters a glimpse of the attacking identity Ruben Amorim is trying to build.
The team moved the ball with greater speed and purpose, creating chances through fluid combinations and aggressive movement in the final third. Although United managed to score four times, the performance was not without its frustrations.
Amorim will be particularly disappointed by the number of clear-cut opportunities that went begging, with Bryan Mbeumo among those guilty of failing to convert chances that could have made the result far more comfortable.
There is hope that the return of Benjamin Šeško will add more cutting edge to the attack. However, despite arriving in the summer amid high expectations and a sizeable transfer fee, the Slovenian striker has so far struggled to make the desired impact.
With just two goals since his arrival, questions remain about whether he can become the consistent focal point United desperately need in the long term.
Amorim’s desire for a dominant, dependable striker has become increasingly apparent, echoing the success he previously enjoyed at Sporting CP with Viktor Gyökeres.
Under Amorim’s guidance in Portugal, Gyökeres flourished as the central figure in attack, combining physical presence with relentless pressing and clinical finishing.
While the Swedish forward has since moved to Arsenal, his form there has failed to match the heights he reached under Amorim, reinforcing the sense that United must find a striker specifically suited to their manager’s system.
Statistically, United’s attacking output has improved noticeably this season. After scoring just 44 league goals in the entirety of last campaign, they have already reached 30 goals in just 16 Premier League matches. This represents a significant step forward, yet the numbers also reveal an imbalance.
Much of the scoring burden has fallen on midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, underlining the need for greater contributions from the forward players.
In response, reports suggest that INEOS is prepared to make a substantial move in the January transfer window for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
Manchester United are believed to be confident they can win the race for his signature ahead of rivals Manchester City, potentially taking advantage of uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future at the Etihad.
United had previously shown interest in Semenyo during the summer but were put off by Bournemouth’s reported £80 million asking price. This time, a deal closer to £65 million is thought to be achievable.
Semenyo is widely viewed as a natural fit for Amorim’s tactical framework, with similarities drawn between him and Gyökeres.
Like the Swedish striker, Semenyo has followed a steady, hard-earned route to the top, honing his game in the lower leagues before establishing himself as a Premier League threat.
This season, he has already been directly involved in ten goals, placing him among the division’s most effective attacking players.
Football analyst Ben Mattinson has labelled him an attacking “monster,” praising his blend of speed, strength, work rate, and adaptability.
Semenyo’s versatility could allow Amorim to deploy him across the front line or even in a more unconventional wing-back role when required.
Should United succeed in securing Semenyo, Amorim would gain a powerful and tireless attacking weapon.
Combined with the pace of Mbeumo and the intelligence of Matheus Cunha, the addition could help transform United’s attack into one of the league’s most dangerous units as the club continues to build momentum under its new leadership.
