Manchester United brought in the fourth-highest revenue among football clubs globally and pay the fourth-highest wages, yet they shockingly finished 15th in the Premier League last season. This wasn’t a fluke it reflected their actual performance. Based on a weighted mix of expected and actual goals, United ranked as the 15th-best team, showing this wasn't just bad luck or a tough run of form. Their recent league finishes 6th, 3rd, 8th, and 15th point to an alarming trend of decline. Despite this, United are still spending heavily, recently signing Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both 26 years old, for nearly €150 million combined. The issue? Both players hugely outperformed their expected goals last season, a trend unlikely to continue. On top of that, Mbeumo won’t take free kicks or penalties at United, which means his goal count could drop further. This is not how a club in rebuilding mode behaves. These are short-term buys for a club that says it's planning long term. And while these players were among the top scorers last season, underlying data suggests regression is likely, meaning United are overpaying for performance that may not last. So, United fans are left wondering: is the club trying to build for the future, or panicking to survive the present?
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United’s strategy looks increasingly chaotic. Promising young stars like Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo have impressed, but now find their development blocked by older signings like Mbeumo and Cunha who play the same positions. Both Garnacho and Jadon Sancho were left out of the U.S. preseason tour, supposedly to push transfers. But by broadcasting that these players are unwanted, United undermined their own bargaining power, making deals even harder to close. Even their transfer dealings have been confusing. Reports suggest United were frustrated Brentford asked for more money for Mbeumo yet they paid the full asking price anyway. It shows a lack of discipline and negotiation skill. They also can’t decide on a clear forward target: one day it’s 22-year-old Sesko, the next it's 29-year-old Ollie Watkins. These are players at totally different stages of their careers so which timeline is United actually planning for? Owner Jim Ratcliffe previously said United were aiming to win the Premier League by 2028, acknowledging a long rebuild ahead. But signing players who’ll be in decline by then sends the opposite message. Mbeumo will be 29, Cunha 30, and Watkins 33 far past their prime. While claiming to build for the future, United are acting like a club desperate for short-term results. The mixed signals and misaligned moves make it clear: Manchester United are not following a strategy they’re chasing shadows. And until that changes, their money won’t save them from mediocrity
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