We need to talk about the Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad front 3

Oscar Bonavena

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The Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad front 3 has started 6 out of Michael's 10 league games.

While that trio has been the front 3, United have only scored 7 goals (4 from set pieces, 1 penalty and only TWO from open play)

When other combinations have been our front 3 (Sesko, Dorgu etc) United have scored 13 goals (1 set piece, 1 penalty and ELEVEN from open play).

Whatever it is, our attacking threat and goal output is significantly worse when Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad is the front 3. Not just a little worse, way worse!! 13 goals versus 7. 11 open play goals versus 2.

Why are we persisting with it when it's self evidently not working? I know Dorgu is injured but our attack looks a lot more dangerous with Sesko as the focal point. Instead he's usually being brought on for the last 20 minutes or so, often to rescue a result because the Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad combo has been ineffectual for the previous 70 minutes!
 
Sesko needs to learn on the bench, may be OK to start for some games that need direct attack, otherwise R1. Dorgu on the left, Mbeumo on the right, is the best formation so far. Rotate Amad (& Sesko) every 2-3 games to ensure match fitness for a 60-games season.

The player that needs serious consideration is Zirkzee, does he fit in and whether to sell him if a decent offer received.

I thought we have a 15 years old wonder kid graduating, so our 7th attacking player is penciled.

Mount, well.
 
Oscar Bonavena said:
The Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad front 3 has started 6 out of Michael's 10 league games.

While that trio has been the front 3, United have only scored 7 goals (4 from set pieces, 1 penalty and only TWO from open play)

When other combinations have been our front 3 (Sesko, Dorgu etc) United have scored 13 goals (1 set piece, 1 penalty and ELEVEN from open play).

Whatever it is, our attacking threat and goal output is significantly worse when Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad is the front 3. Not just a little worse, way worse!! 13 goals versus 7. 11 open play goals versus 2.

Why are we persisting with it when it's self evidently not working? I know Dorgu is injured but our attack looks a lot more dangerous with Sesko as the focal point. Instead he's usually being brought on for the last 20 minutes or so, often to rescue a result because the Cunha-Mbeumo-Amad combo has been ineffectual for the previous 70 minutes!
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What I would point out is that if you look across the board at the attacks of other teams in this league you will see similar figures.
Just thinking Arsenal, Gyokeres was god awful until recently. I think Saka has like 2 league goals this year. Trossard is Trossard.

At city, Haaland has two league goals this year iirc, less said about Foden annd Cherki the better, it’s only Semenyo chipping in.

Liverpool, Ekitike I think has scored in one game out of the last seven. Gakpo laugh out loud. The football has left Salah….
Palmers been shite, whoever plays on the other wing for Chelsea is shite. Watkins has been shite. Rogers has one goal in ten. It’s endless…….

I think through a combination of aggressive defensive tactics and inconsistent forward players, we’re seeing very below par attacking numbers from front 2-3’s all across the board in the league .
Also Amad, Mbeumo and Cunha have never consistently produced big figures through their career. It was really only last season for Mbeumo and Cunha.

We are still very much a side in transition, who have really bad spells in games and good ones.

Also Cunha and Mbeumo are probably not playing in their best positions. Mbeumo tended to play up front with Toney or Wissa when he was played up top at Brentford. Don’t think he excels in the role alone. And Cunha needs to be more central but I think over time can get better playing from the left especially if our attack becomes more fluid.

So yeah that’s what I think…
 
This team is crying out for dynamic wide forwards like Doue and Dembele but that remains a dream of mine.

The way things are going I'm willing to try Zirzkee up front with Cunha and Amad running off him because Mbeumo is not working centrally. Big Zirk has been terribly unlucky in recent games to not get on the scoreboard and before season end I think he still has a part to play.
 
Waynne said:
This team is crying out for dynamic wide forwards like Doue and Dembele but that remains a dream of mine.

The way things are going I'm willing to try Zirzkee up front with Cunha and Amad running off him because Mbeumo is not working centrally. Big Zirk has been terribly unlucky in recent games to not get on the scoreboard and before season end I think he still has a part to play.
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So you want zirkzee instead of sesko?
 
FerociousCorgis said:
So you want zirkzee instead of sesko?
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Not sure if it's Carrick who said it, might be him but Sesko is very effective coming in off the bench. That's just the situation right now. I'm not going to pretend to know better than the manager and say you should start him but at the moment he's not.

It would be worth giving Zirkzee a shot I reckon. Just anyone but Mbeumo. Not sure if it's a personal problem but he's been stink since before AFCON. Maybe he needs a bit of a break. Feck knows.
 
Start Cunha, Sesko and Amad and have Bryan coming off the bench.
Bryan started off well but now he is in a bit of a trough and that is something most strikers go through, he is a quality player and I am sure he will come out of it.
 
I wanna try

Dorgu Sesko Mbeumo

And ask Mbeumo to play like a winger like he used to
 
Bondi77 said:
Start Cunha, Sesko and Amad and have Bryan coming off the bench.
Bryan started off well but now he is in a bit of a trough and that is something most strikers go through, he is a quality player and I am sure he will come out of it.
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Mbeumo is just playing in a different position/role no? He was best running down the right wing cutting in
 
Waynne said:
Not sure if it's Carrick who said it, might be him but Sesko is very effective coming in off the bench. That's just the situation right now. I'm not going to pretend to know better than the manager and say you should start him but at the moment he's not.

It would be worth giving Zirkzee a shot I reckon. Just anyone but Mbeumo. Not sure if it's a personal problem but he's been stink since before AFCON. Maybe he needs a bit of a break. Feck knows.
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Not starting sesko and instead putting in zirkzee would frankly just be ridiculously bad idea in my opinion. Im honestly trying to be nice and not go overboard but frankly man I find that just such a crazy bad take
 
Ludens the Red said:
What I would point out is that if you look across the board at the attacks of other teams in this league you will see similar figures.
Just thinking Arsenal, Gyokeres was god awful until recently. I think Saka has like 2 league goals this year. Trossard is Trossard.

At city, Haaland has two league goals this year iirc, less said about Foden annd Cherki the better, it’s only Semenyo chipping in.

Liverpool, Ekitike I think has scored in one game out of the last seven. Gakpo laugh out loud. The football has left Salah….
Palmers been shite, whoever plays on the other wing for Chelsea is shite. Watkins has been shite. Rogers has one goal in ten. It’s endless…….

I think through a combination of aggressive defensive tactics and inconsistent forward players, we’re seeing very below par attacking numbers from front 2-3’s all across the board in the league .
Also Amad, Mbeumo and Cunha have never consistently produced big figures through their career. It was really only last season for Mbeumo and Cunha.

We are still very much a side in transition, who have really bad spells in games and good ones.


So yeah that’s what I think…
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They are all on poor form at the moment. It’s not a good argument to say
“Hey, these players are on poor form and are doing similiarly, so it’s okay”
A manager has to figure those things out. Unfortunately we have only one true striker
FerociousCorgis said:
Not starting sesko and instead putting in zirkzee would frankly just be ridiculously bad idea in my opinion. Im honestly trying to be nice and not go overboard but frankly man I find that just such a crazy bad take
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It’s true. One has not played at all, once has played and has been effective.
Start Zirkzee for 25-35 minutes then put on Sesko. Problem solved! Unless Sesko needs tha half time perspective to really fire
 
Waynne said:
Not sure if it's Carrick who said it, might be him but Sesko is very effective coming in off the bench. That's just the situation right now. I'm not going to pretend to know better than the manager and say you should start him but at the moment he's not.

It would be worth giving Zirkzee a shot I reckon. Just anyone but Mbeumo. Not sure if it's a personal problem but he's been stink since before AFCON. Maybe he needs a bit of a break. Feck knows.
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Zirkzee is ineffective starting and off the bench. And he’s not a 9. In what sane world is that the answer?
 
The loss of Dorgu and Mbuemo's nosedive in form has effectively neutered our attack. It's not ideal as I don't think he's quite ready but Sesko should definitely be starting instead of Mbuemo at the moment to just give us something.
 
The benefit of shape and system HOW we play with Sesko on the pitch is far bigger than his impact as a sub. Meaning, we play better football with Sesko up top and that was evident even under Amorim era, he just wasn't scoring but he was getting at the end of chances regularly.

I get we want Mbuemo to press from the front but this pressing has been hardly effective because midfield and defenders stay in mid block anyway, and that's not going to change since we are a slow team (so can't press high as it's too risky).

Another benefit is we can leave one of Amad or Mbuemo on the bench, and then decide how we change things up in the game.

Sesko will not be scoring 1 in 1 all the time, but he has to play simply because he stretches the defence, can win some headers and will constantly keep 2 defenders busy.

Then I'd play Mbuemo in the right. It's not hapenning for Amad recently. Mbuemo is in poor form but he won't be that bad in his preferred position. Him and Sesko also play well off each other.

EDIT: I also believe the impact of losing Dorgu is far bigger than people realise, or are willing to admit. He was our best player alongside Bruno when he got injured.
 
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I think this is difficult for Carrick. Sesko was pretty rubbish for Amorim but obviously now we can see that was more about the manager. He was criticised by the manager and by influential pundits like Neville and other ex players. Taking him out the side made sense as did the fact that we needed to counter attack against both City and Arsenal and Mbeumo is clinical when through on goal.

Since then Sesko has stepped up and shown that despite being young and raw he’s a good player. Carrick also has the problem of how to get game time for Amad given him and Mbeumo play the same position. I think now Mbeumo has blunted up top and Amad has blunted on the wing the solution looks obvious. Bring in Sesko and drop Amad. Competition is a wonderful thing and next season with CL (hopefully) we’ll need more players not less.
 
We created quite a few chances first half. I think Sesko should have started though
 
Steve 007 said:
I think this is difficult for Carrick. Sesko was pretty rubbish for Amorim but obviously now we can see that was more about the manager. He was criticised by the manager and by influential pundits like Neville and other ex players. Taking him out the side made sense as did the fact that we needed to counter attack against both City and Arsenal and Mbeumo is clinical when through on goal.

Since then Sesko has stepped up and shown that despite being young and raw he’s a good player. Carrick also has the problem of how to get game time for Amad given him and Mbeumo play the same position. I think now Mbeumo has blunted up top and Amad has blunted on the wing the solution looks obvious. Bring in Sesko and drop Amad. Competition is a wonderful thing and next season with CL (hopefully) we’ll need more players not less.
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Sesko wasn't "rubbish" for Amorim, it's a myth. He had a poor start, and was getting back to fitness, but in late December he was getting good reviews in terms of hold up play and getting at the end of chances. He was simply unlucky with his finishing.

He started scoring when Amorim left, and now can't stop. But he isn't going to continue scoring at that rate, it is impossible. The luck is on his side now, but let's not pretend this is a magical transformation he's gone through. No, it was expected be will score more goals based on his late Amorim performances.
 
Id put Mbeumo back on the right wing he had his stand out season on.

Amad the sub as he’s failed to produce most of the season. Mbeumos form is tempered with lots of starts out of position.

Amads scored 2 all season and barely registered an assist?
 
Waynne said:
This team is crying out for dynamic wide forwards like Doue and Dembele but that remains a dream of mine.

The way things are going I'm willing to try Zirzkee up front with Cunha and Amad running off him because Mbeumo is not working centrally. Big Zirk has been terribly unlucky in recent games to not get on the scoreboard and before season end I think he still has a part to play.
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:lol: This must be a wind up
 
We are suffering from a lack of attacking thrust and ability from both fullbacks to give overlaps and overload those flanks which allow our wide forwards more space to operate in. The combination play isn't good enough at times or just too slow.

I think we need Sesko in there to start more often. Amad offers better defensive play off the ball/more intensity than Mbeumo and has been unlucky not to score the last couple of games. It will only take a goal to boost his confidence. It might do Mbeumo some good having a bit of a rest. Cunha is our main outlet getting us up the pitch at the moment and looks most likely to make something happen.
 
Its an obvious solution, but we're getting good results despite the obvious mismanagement of the forward line so the pressure has been off. A couple more defeats and this would be a central focus. It might still happen

Sesko should be starting. Why? Because he hasnt been given enough of a chance to do so since he found his goalscoring form. He had 1 game in which he scored and was subbed off.

Giving him a run of games starting does multiple things :

1) Continues his goalscoring, but he does it in the first half or around 60 mins, instead of coming on around 70 mins and saving us points at the end of the match. It makes the whole rest of the match easier, we're more likely to get more goals when we've taken the lead and are in control earlier on and we can start to rest players we've been playing too many mins and are tiring.

2) He starts 3 or 4 matches and he isnt scoring and we arent playing better. Okay now if you play Cunha, Mbeumo and Amad and its not working either when there is pressure to start Sesko instead it carries a lot less weight because he wasnt doing the business either and you've been fair to give him the chance

3) Resting players performing poorly. Mbeumo gets a rest and gets the chance to be the super sub. He can be the guy who comes on for 20 mins and gets us the points. Theres no reason why it should work for Sesko and not for him. With some rest hopefully the next time he starts he's able to perform better

My opinion is Bruno as a #10 and Mbeumo as a forward only works when we arent going to have much of the ball like against Arsenal and City. In those matches Bruno is going to be really deep - essentially another CM and Mbeumo is going to be getting into positions where we can play a longer pass and try and get him running either with the ball or chasing a ball in behind the opponents defenders. Bruno just needs to get the ball and find him and as long as Mbeumo makes progress up the pitch we'll say hes done well. But we've also seen that breaking together they can score goals on counters and thats what makes it really work.

If we have 50% or more of the ball and Bruno is picking the ball up between midfield and attack it never seems to work out with Mbeumo/Cunha/Amad as the front 3. They arent good enough targets for Bruno's balls into the box and they arent able to convert passes into their feet into goals from open play. Sesko is a proper target. Even when he was missing at the end of 2025 he was getting on the end of things, he was hitting the post, he was unlucky at times. That doesnt happen with Cunha or Mbeumo up front because they arent striker targets to be found by crosses. CBs easily clear aerial balls away from them. Mbeumo is really good at being a 2nd target coming later to join the attack, a bit like Scholes used to. While CBs are defending against a real striker he can come in less marked and finish a chance. Getting him into those positions, playing off a striker with Bruno as a #10 in AM means playing Mbeumo right wing, where he doesnt do very good wingplay. So it leaves the burden on the left sided winger to be the one beating players and getting crosses in.
 
All 3 cannot play together. No point man to hold the ball up or give a proper option for crosses and two of the three simply are not traditional wingers and love to drift central which destroys the balance of the team going forward.
 
No, this is exactly what is wrong with us as football fans. Completely knee jerk

Cunha has a proven record as a top attacker in the Prem. Dorgu has had 2/3 good games played in a new position with the element of surprise: unknowability in a pragmatic counter attack, when he was completely underwhelming in his actual position.
Gavinb33 said:
Cuhna wouldn't be in the team if Dorgu was fit its pretty simple we'd have more balance too
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Just start the actual striker in the striker position. Rocket science.
 
ItDoesntEvenMata said:
No, this is exactly what is wrong with us as football fans. Completely knee jerk

Cunha has a proven record as a top attacker in the Prem. Dorgu has had 2/3 good games played in a new position with the element of surprise: unknowability in a pragmatic counter attack, when he was completely underwhelming in his actual position.
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I mean Carrick played Dorgu ahead of Cuhna in all the games prior to his injury you think that wouldn't have carried on? I am not saying from a personal perspective I am talking from what actually happened in those games
 
Mbuemo is shite up top. His overall game is simply too limited for him to be focal point in attack. Beggars belief Sesko is not starting given his form. He's always making things happen.

Amad also has shocking decision making which isn't helping either.
 
It seems like we prefer Mbuemo up top at the minute because he is more mobile and aggressive when pressing the opposition. For all the good Sesko has done recently he has looked laboured at that side of the game and when we have a midfield two that is pedestrian at best it's probably a way of ameliorating that.
 
cyril C said:
Sesko needs to learn on the bench, may be OK to start for some games that need direct attack, otherwise R1. Dorgu on the left, Mbeumo on the right, is the best formation so far. Rotate Amad (& Sesko) every 2-3 games to ensure match fitness for a 60-games season.

The player that needs serious consideration is Zirkzee, does he fit in and whether to sell him if a decent offer received.

I thought we have a 15 years old wonder kid graduating, so our 7th attacking player is penciled.

Mount, well.
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…. Why does Sesko need to learn from the bench? He’s our most inform goalscorer, and you’re dropping your most inform goalscorer to the bench to accommodate a player who doesn’t play upfront and hasn’t scored in his last 5+ games. Drop Amad or Mbeumo and put one of them in the right. I promise its okay to drop one of these underperformers.
 
Gavinb33 said:
I mean Carrick played Dorgu ahead of Cuhna in all the games prior to his injury you think that wouldn't have carried on? I am not saying from a personal perspective I am talking from what actually happened in those games
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No, I don’t think it would have carried on once we got past Arsenal and City and were playing against teams where we were less likely to be relying on rapid transitional counter attack.

Playing Dorgu ahead of Cunha would be insanity except in specific situations
 
Its a transitional front 3, and struggles in games where we have to be the protagonist. Cunha, Amad nor Mbuemo are defence unlockers hence the overreliance on Bruno being Bruno.
 
We are now at the run in, crunch time. No giving people a rest, it has been a limited season in terms of matches played so time to step up not sit down.

Šeško is the ONLY "true number 9" and Zirkzee should not even be in the conversation to start - he is a bench option until the summer, then I'd move him on.

Cunha has proven he is a threat on the left and is also a viable option through the middle - albeit not the focal point Šeško is.

Mbeumo is a wide player. He should not be used through the middle, even though I understand why that has been tried.

Amad is also a wide player but at this point, should be behind Mbeumo in the pecking order.

Dorgu offers a great option on the left - he should be used as such going forward, let Shaw and hopefully somebody such as Diouf (West Ham LB) look after the United left hand side of the pitch. Can't wait to see the lad back, his enthusiasm and drive is such a positive.

For now:

Cunha - Šeško - Mbeumo (Amad & Lacey wide reserves)

Next season:

Cunha / Dorgu - Šeško & new - Mbeumo / Amad
 
Ekeke said:
Its an obvious solution, but we're getting good results despite the obvious mismanagement of the forward line so the pressure has been off. A couple more defeats and this would be a central focus. It might still happen

Sesko should be starting. Why? Because he hasnt been given enough of a chance to do so since he found his goalscoring form. He had 1 game in which he scored and was subbed off.

Giving him a run of games starting does multiple things :

1) Continues his goalscoring, but he does it in the first half or around 60 mins, instead of coming on around 70 mins and saving us points at the end of the match. It makes the whole rest of the match easier, we're more likely to get more goals when we've taken the lead and are in control earlier on and we can start to rest players we've been playing too many mins and are tiring.

2) He starts 3 or 4 matches and he isnt scoring and we arent playing better. Okay now if you play Cunha, Mbeumo and Amad and its not working either when there is pressure to start Sesko instead it carries a lot less weight because he wasnt doing the business either and you've been fair to give him the chance

3) Resting players performing poorly. Mbeumo gets a rest and gets the chance to be the super sub. He can be the guy who comes on for 20 mins and gets us the points. Theres no reason why it should work for Sesko and not for him. With some rest hopefully the next time he starts he's able to perform better

My opinion is Bruno as a #10 and Mbeumo as a forward only works when we arent going to have much of the ball like against Arsenal and City. In those matches Bruno is going to be really deep - essentially another CM and Mbeumo is going to be getting into positions where we can play a longer pass and try and get him running either with the ball or chasing a ball in behind the opponents defenders. Bruno just needs to get the ball and find him and as long as Mbeumo makes progress up the pitch we'll say hes done well. But we've also seen that breaking together they can score goals on counters and thats what makes it really work.

If we have 50% or more of the ball and Bruno is picking the ball up between midfield and attack it never seems to work out with Mbeumo/Cunha/Amad as the front 3. They arent good enough targets for Bruno's balls into the box and they arent able to convert passes into their feet into goals from open play. Sesko is a proper target. Even when he was missing at the end of 2025 he was getting on the end of things, he was hitting the post, he was unlucky at times. That doesnt happen with Cunha or Mbeumo up front because they arent striker targets to be found by crosses. CBs easily clear aerial balls away from them. Mbeumo is really good at being a 2nd target coming later to join the attack, a bit like Scholes used to. While CBs are defending against a real striker he can come in less marked and finish a chance. Getting him into those positions, playing off a striker with Bruno as a #10 in AM means playing Mbeumo right wing, where he doesnt do very good wingplay. So it leaves the burden on the left sided winger to be the one beating players and getting crosses in.
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I agree with this post, just wanted to add the problem with "Bruno to Mbuemo" on counter attack is that it has not really been working recently, neither Mbuemo pressing (I think this front line pressing is actually quite good, but will never be effective without midfield joining in). I also have concerns about Mbuemo in more of a traditional winger role, but at least he deserves a chance. He's a very versatile attacker, and I truly belive he is not enjoying himself at the minute in that striker role.

Cloudface said:
It seems like we prefer Mbuemo up top at the minute because he is more mobile and aggressive when pressing the opposition. For all the good Sesko has done recently he has looked laboured at that side of the game and when we have a midfield two that is pedestrian at best it's probably a way of ameliorating that.
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What good comes from that Mbuemo "pressing" though? It's hardly an effective tactic for us.

Regulus Arcturus Black said:
He’s looked much better from the bench than starting for me.

I personally think Amad is doing far far too little. His stats are nowhere near where they need to be.
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Has Sesko looked much better from the bench really? He has been scoring but I don't see a reason why that wouldn't be the case if he started games. I certainly think we look in better shape as a team when he plays, and the chances he gets are rarely counter attack so I don't see a reason he would be more effective from bench. In fact, I might argue Mbuemo making clever runs is a better tactic for tired defenders or counter attacking football.
 
TheRedHearted said:
They are all on poor form at the moment. It’s not a good argument to say
“Hey, these players are on poor form and are doing similiarly, so it’s okay”
A manager has to figure those things out. Unfortunately we have only one true striker

It’s true. One has not played at all, once has played and has been effective.
Start Zirkzee for 25-35 minutes then put on Sesko. Problem solved! Unless Sesko needs tha half time perspective to really fire
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To be fair that wasn’t the only thing I said. Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture and wider context.

Cunha has actually been in fairly decent form too.
We’ve not had a period where all three have been bad. That would concern me more, like last season with Garnacho, Rashford and Hojlund.
This will not change going forward unless the landscape in the league and within our team changes.
The individual players and their personalities, the league etc I don’t see attacks flourishing as a whole anymore. Cunha, Amad, Mbeumo won’t suddenly start hitting Mane, firmino and Salah figures.
I feel like you’ll get purple patches for players whilst simultaneously rough patches for others and that’ll be the cycle until there is a significant shift back away from haram football and a better quality of attacking players in the prem.

Theres very little Carrick will be able to do. Hes not an elite coach as it is and even the elite coaches in the Prem are struggling with this.
 
I just don’t see anything in why Mbeumo should start ahead of Amad seeing as Amad has a lot more intensity, much more direct, quicker, better on the ball, a better passer and can come inside or go on the outside whilst all Mbeumo has over Amad is size and potential goal threat but we seem a lot slower with Mbeumo starting on the right.

Obviously I can’t read Carrick’s mind but I imagine he uses Mbeumo up top due to his size and strength and the fact it allows us a more fluid front line that can interchange whereas right now with Sesko learning and adapting the front line is very set positionally so no fluidity and easier to man mark.
 
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