Owen Hargreaves wants Manchester United to play Bryan Mbeumo as the number nine
Manchester United’s season has already thrown up big tactical debates, and Ruben Amorim finds himself at the centre of them. The Red Devils invested heavily in attacking reinforcements, signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to provide proven Premier League quality. Yet those signings altered the balance of the side, forcing Bruno Fernandes into deeper roles that restrict his creativity. For Owen Hargreaves, this shift has raised questions about whether Amorim is making the best use of his squad.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Hargreaves argued that Bruno must be restored to his natural position as a number 10. The former England international said United would benefit from playing Mbeumo as a striker, freeing Bruno to operate where he is most dangerous.
He also suggested that Amad Diallo could slot into a wing-back role, giving Amorim options without leaving out one of his most creative outlets. For Hargreaves, the central point is clear: Bruno remains the heartbeat of this side, and Amorim needs to build the attack around him rather than forcing him to adjust.
“They decided to get goals and sign proven Premier League players in Cunha and Mbeumo, which I like, but now Bruno has to play deeper to get on the ball and create. He’s not playing his natural position; he’s playing deeper, as a box-to-box midfielder. Bruno’s one of the best creators in the division, so you’ve got to play him in his natural position. Because they play two 10s, you could argue United’s two best players last season were Amad and Bruno.
“They were the two 10s, and then they went and signed two more 10s in Cunha and Mbeumo when you didn’t have a keeper or a striker. I’d love to see Bruno play as a 10, maybe with Mbeumo as a No. 9. If you have Cunha and Bruno playing as two 10s plus Mbeumo, that’s good. Maybe play Amad as a wing-back on the left if you want to stay with the formation.”
Via: Metro
Why Mbeumo could change United’s attack?
By contrast, Bryan Mbeumo brings a proven record from Brentford, where he delivered 60 goal contributions across three seasons. He thrives on exploiting defensive gaps, linking play, and offering a direct goal threat. The Cameroon’s versatility even saw him play as a wing-back during pre-season, though his best work comes higher up the pitch. His creativity, shown by leading the Expected Assists chart in 2024-25, suggests he could supply Sesko in a partnership instead of competing with him.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko remains a player of potential but has found Premier League life difficult. His inconsistent form and modest goal return have drawn criticism, and he has yet to show the presence needed to lead the line alone. Such a change could restore Fernandes to his best role and improve United’s attacking flow. The move looks risky after United’s big investment in Sesko, but Amorim must balance that with the chance to unlock Fernandes’ full influence.
With United still weighing up other options, including a bargain deal for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and even considering Cesc Fàbregas as a surprise managerial option, the manager’s choices carry weight beyond the immediate results. For now, the question remains whether Mbeumo can give United the sharper edge they need while allowing Bruno Fernandes to dictate games once more.
However, it’s quite clear that Bruno Fernandes is the one who is not able to dictate games from his deeper role. United might need to give chances to Kobbie Mainoo to feature along with Casemiro in the heart of the midfield, and try Bruno along with Mbeumo as the attacking midfielders in the 3-4-2-1 system, and he can rotate the Portuguese with Cunha. For now, Amorim needs to back the youngster Sesko.