There’s a small, noticeable change at Old Trafford just now. It’s not dramatic — no sudden trophy cabinet overhaul — but the atmosphere is different. The team looks less like a collection of parts and more like a group that knows what it’s trying to do. After the 4-2 win over Brighton, that shift felt real. And yes, pundits noticed too.
Jamie Redknapp summed it up simply: two summer signings — Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo — “look like real Man Utd players.” That’s the kind of line that sounds neat on TV, maybe a touch sweeping. Still, watch the highlights and you’ll see why he said it. There’s a comfort to them now, a kind of fitting-in that isn’t always instant at a club with these expectations.
What they bring on the pitch
Both players did more than score on the day. Mbeumo ended up with a brace, including a stoppage-time finish that finally put the game beyond doubt. Cunha got his first goal in red, the kind of moment you could tell mattered to him — he kissed the badge, pointed to the fans, and generally celebrated like someone who grew up dreaming of nights like this. Little moments, but telling.
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Beyond goals, the two stand out for how they move and combine. There’s urgency in their link-up play, a willingness to take responsibility in the final third. They press; they run in expected and unexpected spaces; they feed each other ideas with quick passes and one-touch combinations. It’s not flawless — far from it — but the chemistry is emerging. That alone can lift a whole frontline. And to be honest, that sort of personality has been thin on the ground at Old Trafford for a few seasons. So seeing it now is refreshing.
Why it matters for United
United’s recent years have been noisy on the transfer front. High fees, high hopes, and sometimes very public mismatches between player and club. The criticism has often been that recruitment felt reactive rather than thoughtful. This feels different. Under Ruben Amorim — with INEOS apparently backing a clearer plan — the signings seem targeted toward players who fit a system, not just big names for marketing or headlines.
Cunha and Mbeumo are a good example of that approach: they aren’t the flashiest, most headline-grabbing signings in isolation, but they bring traits that suit how Amorim wants to play. That matters because, in a squad full of stars and expectations, system players are the glue. They slot into roles and make everyone else’s job easier. That’s why somebody like Redknapp saying “spot on” about recruitment feels like meaningful praise rather than empty hype.
The game itself reinforced this. United looked calm and controlled for large stretches. Brighton did rattle them late — and yes, that created a few nervy moments in the stands — but the overall impression was one of control. They were proactive most of the match, not just reacting. When you see a team that can withstand pressure and then put the foot back on the gas, that speaks to confidence and structure, not just good individual days.
A closer look at their personalities
There’s something slightly different about the way both players celebrate, move, and even receive the ball. Cunha celebrated with genuine emotion, the badge kiss and the fan-point felt sincere, like someone remembering a dream more than putting on a show. Mbeumo, by contrast, looks like he’s been in this shirt for longer than he actually has — composed, decisive. Those two traits complement each other. One is visibly attached to the club’s history or myth; the other blends in with the existing fabric. It’s a useful mix.
And it’s not only about how they look on camera. Their numbers are starting to line up with the eye test. Goals, assists, and effective link play help. But the subtle stats — progressive passes, pressing success, creating space for teammates — will matter as the season goes on. If those keep trending upward, the “fits” become less subjective and more factual.
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A note on expectations
I should say, cautiously, that this is early days. Two players looking like they belong is a great start, but football is long and often strange. There will be dips; injuries may come; tactics might have to shift. And while the mood at United is improving, Old Trafford is still a place where patience wears thin quickly. So yes, enjoy the feel-good moments, but don’t let them turn into textbook certainty.
That said, the change is encouraging. There’s a sense that recruitment under Amorim is less scattergun. If United keep targeting the right player profiles — those who suit the system, who can adapt quickly, who lift others — then the club could be on a steadier path than in some recent transfer windows. It won’t be overnight, but progress like this has a way of building on itself.
A personal reaction
I found myself smiling at the celebration scenes — it’s a simple thing, but it matters. Fans notice when a player genuinely seems to like the club. I’ve seen too many transfers where a goal leads to a muted reaction, or worse, a look that says “what now?” Cunha and Mbeumo felt different. Maybe I’m being sentimental. Probably a bit. But sentiment is part of supporting football; it’s part of why we watch.
Final thoughts
So yes, the headline that they “look like real Manchester United players” isn’t entirely off the mark. There’s immediate chemistry, complementary personalities, and a style of play that matches what the manager seems to want. That’s not the whole story of United’s season, of course, but it’s an important piece. If recruitment continues to be thoughtful and Amorim gets the backing to shape the squad further, the club might be returning to something more recognisable — and perhaps, more resilient.
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