Manchester United have soared up the Premier League table under manager Ruben Amorim, winning five of their last seven games. They are currently looking for a fourth successive win as they take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Despite a shaky start to the season that raised questions about Amorim’s position at Old Trafford, United appear to have steadied the ship. They have won their last three games, including a thrilling 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool, and are starting to reap the benefits of their summer signings.
Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha scored in the recent game against Brighton and will be hoping to continue the momentum against Forest. However, Amorim will soon have to cope without star striker Mbeumo, who joined the club from Brentford in the summer for an initial fee of £65 million.
Express Sport brings you all the latest news from Old Trafford, including advice for new players on how to improve and warnings about how to behave towards loan players.
Brian Mbeumo likely to miss game
Mbeumo has hit the ground running under Amorim and has already scored four goals in the league. But United may have to manage without him for a significant period of time, just as he begins to form a strong bond with his new team-mates.
United will lose at least two games in late December with Mbeumo representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon’s group stage matches are scheduled from December 24 to December 31, with Mbeumo almost certain to miss United’s games against Newcastle and Wolves.
However, his absence could be significantly extended if Brentford progress to the top of the tournament. The knockout stage begins on January 3rd and the round of 16 will run until January 6th.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for January 9th and 10th, and the semifinals will be held on January 14th. The final is set for January 18th, with the third-place match to be held the day before on January 17th.
During this period, United have games against Leeds United, Burnley and the Manchester derby against City tentatively scheduled for January 17, but this is subject to change. There will also be an FA Cup third round match on the weekend starting January 10th.
Mbeumo risks missing the entire game if Brentford reach the high-profile finale.
Advice from Benjamin Sesco
Another recent arrival is Benjamin Sesco, who is still finding his feet at Old Trafford. The 22-year-old forward joined from RB Leipzig for £74m during the summer transfer window but has scored just two goals so far.
After an underwhelming start, former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has offered some advice.
“Be confident in yourself,” Berbatov said, directing a message to Sesco during a talk on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel. “Have the arrogance to ask your teammate for the ball when you run.
“When you make a good run and the ball isn’t coming to you, say or express it in a way that your teammates understand. It’s, ‘I’m here. I’m making the run for you. Respect my run. Not every time, but look at me and believe in what I can do with that run.’
“Be angry sometimes. Shout, abuse him, whatever. (It’s) nothing personal. Be vocal at halftime, before and after the game. I think sometimes the players need to be more aggressive and emotional, in a ‘hand me the damn ball, dude!’ kind of way.”
Marcus Rashford receives behavior warning
Amorim has made it abundantly clear that Marcus Rashford was not part of his vision at United almost from the start, and after being loaned to Aston Villa in January, the forward secured another temporary move to Barcelona this summer.
Rashford has featured regularly in Spain and has put in some strong performances. There is no certainty about his future at Old Trafford, but United icon Bryan Robson has warned that the forward will need to address his mental health if he returns.
Robson told Grosvenor Casinos: “Marcus is a great talent and everything, but I think his attitude has to change if he comes back to United.” “Barcelona is different because we always know that Barcelona and Real Madrid are dominant in the league.
“If he comes back to United he will develop and enjoy his football a little more. I can’t believe people say he can’t enjoy his football at Man Utd when he enjoyed the two clubs he left us. That seems crazy to me.”
