Off the back of a 30-goal season in 2022/23 under Erik ten Hag, it would have appeared ridiculous to suggest that just under two years later, Manchester United’s academy sensation, Marcus Rashford, would be lining up for anyone other than the Red Devils.
As it is, the Englishman – who left the club on loan in February – is now part of an Aston Villa side chasing FA Cup and Champions League glory, with a top-five finish also in reach for Unai Emery’s high-flying side.
Three goals and four assists have come the 27-year-old’s way in just 13 games in his new temporary home, with Emery even opting to start his red-hot forward ahead of compatriot, Ollie Watkins for Wednesday’s first-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
There may be those ruing Ruben Amorim’s decision to let Rashford depart, although it’s worth remembering that the 2022/23 campaign was merely an outlier in what had been a turbulent last few years for the £300k-per-week star back at Old Trafford.
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Rashford’s last five Man Utd seasons (all comps) |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2024/25* |
24 |
7 |
3 |
|
2023/24 |
43 |
8 |
6 |
|
2022/23 |
56 |
30 |
11 |
|
2021/22 |
32 |
5 |
2 |
|
2020/21 |
57 |
21 |
18 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
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With Rashford already outlining his desire for “a new challenge” back in December, this is surely the beginning of the end for his United journey. Now, INEOS need to acquire a suitable replacement.
Man Utd’s search for a new forward
The name doing the rounds at present is that of Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, with reports earlier this week suggesting that contact has already been made with the Brazilian’s agent, ahead of a potential summer swoop.
It would appear that the Red Devils are putting together a contingency plan in case they aren’t able to land the 25-year-old, however, with GIVEMESPORT outlining that Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is also under consideration.
As per the report, Amorim and co are on ‘red alert’ after assessing the data surrounding Mbeumo’s displays for the Bees this season, with there said to be ‘increasing confidence’ that the Cameroon international could reignite United’s misfiring forward line.
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The piece outlines that while it would take a sizeable offer to land the 25-year-old, believed to be in the region of £50m, the wing wizard could be up for grabs as he enters the final year of his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Capable of operating off the right flank or through the middle, the France-born sensation could represent the perfect addition to Amorim’s attacking ranks, ahead of next season.
How Mbeumo compares to Rashford & Elanga
Not only have United seen Rashford find form again away from the Theatre of Dreams, but another academy graduate – Anthony Elanga – has also dazzled since moving to Nottingham Forest on a £15m deal back in 2023, having notably scored the decisive goal in stunning fashion against his former club last week.
The Swedish speedster has racked up 29 goals and assists in 74 games since moving to the City Ground, albeit with Amorim seemingly refuting claims that it had been a mistake to sell the winger, after he was given a “chance” to impress back in Manchester.
Even so, there is a lingering frustration over the decision to cash in on the 22-year-old on the cheap, albeit with the signing of Mbeumo allowing those of a United persuasion to forget all about Elanga – and Rashford – due to his status as “one of the best players in the Premier League”, according to Sky Sports’ Dan Bardell.
Indeed, the former Troyes starlet – who joined Thomas Frank’s side in 2019 – has scored 16 goals and provided a further five assists in the top-flight in 2024/25 to date, coming close to bettering Rashford’s best ever tally of 17 league goals, which he achieved in 2019/20 and 2022/23.
Described as “unplayable” at times by the aforementioned Frank, Mbeumo has lit up the division in recent times, with the left-footer ending last term with 15 goals and assists to his name, despite being hampered by injury.
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Mbeumo vs Rashford vs Elanga – PL in 24/25 |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Mbeumo |
Rashford |
Elanga |
|
Goals |
0.52 |
0.35 |
0.27 |
|
Assists |
0.16 |
0.21 |
0.37 |
|
Progressive carries |
3.33 |
2.55 |
3.61 |
|
Progressive passes |
3.75 |
2.34 |
3.10 |
|
Pass completion |
67.1% |
73% |
65% |
|
Shot-creating actions |
3.78 |
3.46 |
3.69 |
|
Successful take-ons |
1.23 |
1.21 |
1.00 |
|
Tackles |
1.10 |
0.92 |
0.78 |
|
Interceptions |
0.42 |
0.35 |
0.23 |
|
Stats via FBref |
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Interestingly, too, the two most statistically similar forwards to the Brentford talisman in the league, as per FBref, are actually Rashford and Elanga, with Mbeumo possessing the searing pace of the latter, as well as the centre-forward instincts of the former – seemingly the perfect hybrid.
As indicated in the table above, it is the Bees man who comes on top across a string of attacking and defensive metrics in 2024/25, indicating that while he may possess the characteristics of his two Premier League counterparts, he would actually represent an upgrade as far as Amorim is concerned.
With 54 goals and assists in 129 top-flight games to date in English football, Mbeumo would represent the ready-made solution that United are desperately craving in the forward line.
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