Premier League 2025/26: Never underestimate MU

Message from MU

“Never underestimate MU ” . A famous saying that fans at Old Trafford or fans of English football rivals know by heart.

That concept is not only on the pitch, but also in business or transfers.

MUFC - Sesko MU.jpg — Sesko is an illustration of MU's appeal. Photo: MUFC

Even a disastrous 2024/25 campaign – finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final – did little to dampen the Manchester side's appeal.

It's also worth remembering that in mid-March, Sir Jim Ratcliffe – after laying off more than 400 employees – made it sound as if the team was about to go bankrupt.

“Manchester United will run out of money by the end of 2025, after I have invested £300m and if we do not buy more players in the summer,” Sir Ratcliffe said at the time.

“This is a period of transition, full of discomfort and turmoil. Frankly, the club will run out of money by Christmas if we don’t act,” he argued.

On the pitch, they are no longer the "Red Devils" of the past, but at the negotiating table, MU is still as strong as ever.

Scoring just 44 goals in 38 Premier League games last season was a major factor in the collapse of the season. At Old Trafford, the problem of goal scarcity is solved by one key: money.

In the 2025/26 season, coach Ruben Amorim has a brand new attack worth hundreds of millions of euros.

MUFC - Mbeumo Sesko Cunha.jpg — MU's brand new attacking trio "MSC". Photo: MUFC

The effectiveness of Ruben Amorim's team building process will depend on his ability. However, the Portuguese strategist possesses enough strikers to make opposing defenses fear.

Matheus Cunha was MU's first summer signing, with a price tag of nearly 75 million euros paid to Wolves. A reasonable price after his brilliant performance: 17 goals and 6 assists.

But that’s not enough. Bryan Mbeumo is next, from Brentford – where he scored 20 goals and provided 8 assists, finishing fourth in the Premier League’s top scorer list.

MU paid another 75 million euros for this deal. Not stopping there, the club that shares the record of 20 English football championships with Liverpool also "snatched" Newcastle in the case of Benjamin Sesko.

With an offer 5 million euros lower than their opponent, they still got the 22-year-old Slovenian striker - who in many previous transfer windows was sought after by Arsenal and Chelsea.

Sesko is an example of the concept of "never underestimate MU" . With a price of 85 million euros, the total spending on 3 new strikers this summer is up to 235 million euros.

Ruben Amorim and the new attacking trio

Despite not being able to participate in the new European Cup season, Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko all affirmed their desire to join MU from the beginning of the negotiation process.

MUFC - Ruben Amorim Cunha MU.jpg — Ruben Amorim has a chance to change MU. Photo: MUFC

In theory, this is a monumental rebuild to bring MU's project back on track, regaining its position as a power in the foggy country.

At this point, Ruben Amorim needs to look to the past: history shows that huge investments in strikers do not always pay off at Old Trafford.

The deal for Rasmus Hojlund – who was once expected to be MU's "Erling Haaland" – is showing signs of failure.

Just two years ago, MU paid more than 75 million euros for the Danish striker. In the 2023/24 season, he scored 16 goals and 2 assists, which was considered a familiarization period. Last season, despite playing more, he only scored 10 goals in 52 matches.

Joshua Zirkzee’s lack of confidence and sharpness also made him disappointing. MU bought him for more than 40 million euros during EURO 2024 to solve the problem of scoring, but the former Bologna striker – injured at the end of the season – only had 7 goals and 2 assists.

MU had to go back to the summer of 2021 to find a truly successful striker. He is no stranger to those who love the "Red Devils" in the 21st century: Cristiano Ronaldo.

MUFC - Bruno Fernandes MU.jpg — Bruno Fernandes also benefits from playing after “MSC”. Photo: MUFC

The Portuguese star returned to Old Trafford at the same time MU spent 85 million euros to buy Jadon Sancho.

In contrast to Ronaldo, Antony – a 95 million euro recruit the following summer – has been listed as a liquidation stock since last season.

Except for Marcus Rashford's explosive 2022/23 season (30 goals in all competitions; 17 in the Premier League), in recent years MU has had to rely on Bruno Fernandes' goals.

Sir Ratcliffe and Ruben Amorim have faith, Man Utd fans are optimistic. “MSC” (Mbeumo – Sesko – Cunha) are confident of opening a new era, starting at Old Trafford against Arsenal this weekend.

Premier League 2025/26 Championship Betting Odds
STT	Club	Proportion
1	Liverpool	2.75
2	Arsenal	3.25
3	Man City	4
4	Chelsea	9
5	MU	26
6	Newcastle	34
7	Tottenham	51
8	Aston Villa	67
9	Brighton, Nottingham Forest	201
10	Bournemouth	251
11	West Ham, Crystal Palace, Leeds, Everton	501
12	Brentford, Fulham	751
13	Wolves, Sunderland	1.001
14	Burnley	1,501