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Manchester United Football Club

Man United's Summer Signings Slammed by Owen Hargreaves

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves has criticized the club's summer signings, suggesting that they prioritized the wrong positions. Hargreaves, who played for United from 2007 to 2011, believes that the club should have focused on signing an elite midfielder and a first-choice goalkeeper instead of Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha and Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.

The Brazilian forward was signed for £62.5 million, while Mbeumo sealed a £71 million move from Brentford. However, Cunha has yet to score a goal, and Mbeumo has only managed to score once. Hargreaves argued that the club's decision to sign two number 10s to play in Bruno Fernandes' position has hindered the Portuguese midfielder's performance. "Bruno is their best player by a country mile, then they go and sign two number 10s to play in his position, and he has to play as a defensive midfield player almost," Hargreaves said on The Breakdown.

Hargreaves also criticized the club's goalkeeper situation, stating that United prioritized finding more goals over signing a world-class goalkeeper. "You've thought that more goals will get us higher up the table than, say, a world-class goalkeeper," Hargreaves said. However, the club did sign a new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, from Royal Antwerp for £18 million, but he has only made one appearance for the team.

Key Takeaways:

  • Man United signed Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million and Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo for £71 million, but they have yet to justify the investment.
  • Former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves has criticized the club's signings, arguing that they prioritized the wrong positions.
  • Hargreaves believes that United should have signed an elite midfielder and a first-choice goalkeeper instead of Cunha and Mbeumo.
  • The club's decision to sign two number 10s to play in Bruno Fernandes' position has hindered his performance, according to Hargreaves.
  • United's goalkeeper situation is still a concern, despite signing Senne Lammens for £18 million.
  • Hargreaves argued that a world-class goalkeeper would have been a better priority for the club than finding more goals.

Statistics:

  • £62.5 million: The amount United paid to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
  • £71 million: The amount United paid to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
  • 1 goal: The number of goals Bryan Mbeumo has scored for United.
  • 1 appearance: The number of appearances Senne Lammens has made for United.
  • £18 million: The amount United paid to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

Sources:

  • [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/owen-hargreaves-slams-man-uniteds-26431095)
  • [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36338/12679353/man-united-new-signings-dont-matter-if-they-dont-have-a-good-defence)

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