Manchester United have had a lot of trouble finding the back of the net over the past few years, and have kept the sides on a massive scale in the Premier League.
The Red Devils have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on numerous attackers under multiple managers, but it’s of little use, as seen in the small goal tally from 2024/25.
Reuben Amorim’s men only combined seven goals in the Notch, with two centre forwards Joshua Zilky and Rasmus Hozilund combined with seven goals.
The latter quickly defeated the manager’s plans, joining Serie A-side Napoli during the offseason with loans left in the season, and in the summer of 2026 there was the option of such a deal buying.
To improve the current first-team team, many of the fanbase would have been eager to see the moves of one talent that has seen England’s top flights in recent years.
Alexander Isaac’s form against Manchester United
Alexander Isaac has been one of the premier league main attackers for the past few years and is a player to be feared when playing against the Magpie.
The Swedes registered 54 league goals in their three years in the UK, finishing with 23 goals last year, sitting second in the goals score chart as they helped the Magpie secure their qualifications for the Champions League.
He was undefeated in 63% of his match against the Red Devils and won the header in the Old Trafford clash as Eddie Howe’s side claimed a 2-0 victory in December.
Isak stated his desire to leave St. James Park this summer, and later joined United rival Liverpool in a £125 million transfer on the deadline.
This move has greatly strengthened Arne Slot’s side in the 2025/26 campaign.
The prospects that Swedes will link to the likes of Mohamed Sarah and Hugo Ekitique are dangerous to other parts of England’s top flight, with such trio making Reds’ favourites to hold the league title.
But despite the business that took place elsewhere, the Red Devils also landed many of the best talents that can make fan favorites at the Theatre of Dreams.
Isaac level signature for Man United
To avoid the repetition of 2024/25, United’s hierarchy has blown £2 million over the summer to three new attackers, injecting the necessary additional quality at the forefront.
Matheus Cunha was the first to move, taking part in the £62.5 million transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderlers after scoring 15 times in the final campaign of England’s top flights.
The Brazilians were joined by Benjamin Sesco in the final third, and were charged in the area of £74 million from Bundesliga RB Leipzig.
The third final player added to the offensive division was Brian Mbemo, with the Cameroonian arriving from Brentford from his English outfit and in Thomas Frank’s words as a “unplayable” star.
With his addition, the club has regained £71 million, including add-ons – a mammoth amount, but it could prove worthwhile after scoring 20 times on the last top flight.
The 26-year-old was one of just five players in the division to score more than 20 goals in the Premier League. It highlights the talent the club currently possesses in its books.
Such a move is similar to Isaac’s move from Liverpool to Liverpool this summer, with both players falling into the aforementioned bracket of the goal scored in 2024/25.
Both players hope to repeat similar feats with the new clubs in this campaign, but for the Red Devils, they hope that Mbeumo will add more goals to take control of the Swedes.
When comparing the statistics of each of the pairs in the 2024/25 league, Mbeumo was able to do better Isaac in many regions, and then highlighted the excellent additions of Amorim and Co.
Labeled “World-Class” by Statman Dave, Cameroonian scored better shots with target accuracy rate (44%) and higher goals per shot with target rate (0.5).
How Mbeumo and Isak compared with PL (2024/25) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Mbeumo | Isaac |
The game has been played | 38 | 34 |
Goals and Assistance | 27 | 29 |
Shooting with target accuracy | 44% | 43% |
Goals for each target shot | 0.5 | 0.4 |
Key Pass | 1.9 | 1.3 |
Progressive Pass | 3.7 | 2.8 |
Take-on success | 47% | 46% |
I’ll bring it to the opposition box | 2.1 | 1.4 |
The air won | 0.9 | 0.8 |
Statistics via FBREF | ||
Numbers like this highlight the clinical edge he has within the last third, making him arguably a more threatening option than signing an English record.
He also completed more take-ons he attempted (47%) while carrying the ball to the opposition box around 90 (2.1).
If he can replicate such numbers while he is in Old Trafford, Mbemo may have all the tools to help the Red Devils return to their former glory in the near future.
It remains to be seen whether he will be able to surpass ISAK again in 2025/26, but if that is the case, his £71 million transfer fee could be a bargain – especially if he can lead to all forms of silverware.
