Manchester United’s lack of goals throughout 2024/25 was a real concern to everyone involved with the club – undoubtedly adding to their lowly Premier League finish.
The Red Devils ended the previous campaign in a measly 15th place, with no player in the first-team squad managing to register double figures for goals in the league.
Departures of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho throughout the summer window saw the side lose 23% of their goals from the last campaign, showcasing the need for added goals in Ruben Amorim’s side.
However, spending has not been alien to the United supporters after Erik ten Hag was handed over £600m to make the desired changes during his tenure at Old Trafford.
Despite previous claims from the hierarchy that huge money wouldn’t be spent during the off-season, the side now have two top-level talents now within their ranks in the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
What Mbeumo & Sesko will bring to United
Mbeumo’s move to join United may have set the board back a huge £71m, but it offers the side a proven and talented Premier League option in their quest for success at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old netted 20 goals in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25, but his underlying stats further highlight his quality within the attacking department.
The Cameroonian ranked in the 96th percentile for goals per shots taken, whilst also ranking in the 98th percentile for goals scored per 90.
He didn’t just catch the eye for his ability to find the net, but also managed to create chances for those around him – as seen by his ranking in the 91st percentile for crosses completed per 90.
Such numbers would be hugely beneficial for numerous players at the club – but none more so than fellow new big-money addition Sesko.
Like Mbeumo, the former RB Leipzig man set the board back over £70m, but is undoubtedly seen as an immediate and long-term solution for the club’s dire goalscoring record.
The 22-year-old netted 21 times across all competitions last season, but also ranked in the 88th percentile for dribbles completed per 90 – subsequently handing the side a top-level all-round talent.
There’s no denying the big-money talents will hand the manager the quality he’s desperately lacked in recent times, but the hierarchy may have been better off keeping hold of another talent.
The former United star who outperformed Mbeumo & Sesko
Numerous big-money strikers have tried and failed to be a success at United, as seen by Hojlund’s recent spell at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Dane arrived with huge expectations after the club forked out £72m for his signature in the summer of 2023, but his time at Old Trafford has been nothing short of a disaster.
He only netted four league goals last season, even going on a 21-game goal drought – ultimately leading to his departure and the moves for Mbeumo and Sesko this summer.
Huge funds would’ve been saved had they kept hold of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, with the forward potentially being offloaded too prematurely by the Red Devils.
Back in the summer of 2017, United forked out a mammoth £75m for the signature of the centre-forward in an attempt to bolster their frontline under José Mourinho.
Such a figure, like the recent additions, generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase, but the player certainly lived up to the hype he arrived at Old Trafford with.
He netted 27 goals in his debut year in Manchester, followed by 15 in his second, taking his tally to 42 goals in his 96 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils.
However, Lukaku, who’s been labelled “world-class” by fellow professional Jordan Graham, would leave the side after just two years – moving to Italian side Inter Milan on a permanent basis in a £73m move.
Fast-forward to the present day, the 32-year-old is now plying his trade for Napoli – still possessing a clinical edge that catapulted Antonio Conte’s side to title glory in 2024/25.
Games played
36
Goals & assists
24
Goals & assists per 90
0.76
Goals per shot on target
0.60
Aerials won
1.8
Pass accuracy
74%
Shot-creating actions
2.4
Fouls drawn
1.2
During such a campaign, he managed to outperform new additions Sesko and Mbeumo in numerous areas – posting more assists than the duo (11), having the ability to create carnage despite his centre-forward role.
The Belgian also ranked among the top 5% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for goals and assists per 90 (0.76) tallies that were both higher than United’s new big-money additions – showcasing the threat Lukaku still poses in attacking areas.
At 32, there’s no denying that the former United star is entering the back end of his career, but he still has the talents to make an impact under Amorim at Old Trafford, scoring a mega 128 goals since departing. Compare that to Mbeumo (79) and Sesko (51) and there is a big difference.
Had they kept hold of him in the last six years, the hierarchy could’ve saved themselves millions of pounds – arguably having a better chance at success had the centre-forward stayed put at the Theatre of Dreams.
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