Ruben Amorim's desire for proven players in the transfer market appears to be paying off after Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo helped Manchester United to a 4-2 win over Brighton, their first home victory against the Seagulls since 2022.
Cunha scored his first goal for the club, while Mbeumo netted his fifth of the campaign as United recorded a third successive victory. The pair combined for 35 Premier League goals last season at Wolves and Brentford, with Benjamin Sesko also arriving as part of a £200m investment in United's forward options.
Gary Neville believes the duo will become regular match-winners for the club. "With Cunha and Mbeumo, the risk of those signings was removed because in the sense they had played in the Premier League before and they had the hunger to deliver at a different level," Neville told Sky Sports. "Mbeumo looks like he belongs. He looks hungry and that he wants to score goals. Manchester United have something to build on. Cunha and Mbeumo will win a lot of matches for Manchester United."
Neville's Sky Sports colleague Jamie Redknapp suggested United could finish as high as fifth this season. "We can't get carried away but there is no reason why this team can't get in the top five," Redknapp said. "They certainly have that kind of capability. But the manager, as he said, will be under no illusions. It can quite quickly go the other way."
Neville also felt the win over Brighton was pivotal for Amorim, easing pressure after the recent defeat at Anfield. "I think it has been Ruben Amorim's best and most important week in the job. I think it gives him a bit of time," Neville said. "I am not saying he's off the hook but Manchester United are up there towards the top of the league and it certainly takes a lot of pressure off him."
