Imagine him & Mbeumo: Man Utd submit bid to sign "unbelievable" £53m winger
It’s not unreasonable to suggest that Ruben Amorim’s first full season at Manchester United has, so far, been characterised by ebb and flow.
But after a patchy start, the Red Devils have lost just one of their past seven Premier League matches, with Sunday’s turnaround victory at Crystal Palace a testament to the squad’s rekindled spirit.
However, there’s a sense that United lack the requisite depth to mount a real challenge at the top of the table, and that is something INEOS must look to rectify in January.
After clearing out so much attacking deadwood this summer, Jason Wilcox and co are now turning toward a new wide forward.
Man Utd searching for new forwards
If all goes to plan, Manchester United will be competing in Europe again next season. And if all goes to plan, United will need more options in the final third.
On the right, United are pretty well stocked with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, but there’s something of a lack of depth on the alternate flank.
That’s why news is emerging of INEOS’s interest in Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes, who could be available this winter.
Barnes, 27, is being reported by Spanish reports to be the focus of a £53m bid from Man United, though the Old Trafford side have been matched by Chelsea in their pursuit.
The left-sided winger’s sharpness in front of goal is seen as a defining factor behind United’s interest, with Mbeumo the club’s only forward to have scored more than two goals in the Premier League this year.
Why Man Utd want Harvey Barnes
Barnes hasn’t always been a regular starter at St. James’ Park, but he’s invariably threatening in the final third and has an athletic and pacy style of play.
He would add width and danger, perhaps tailor-made for Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, supported by Patrick Dorgu or a potential addition there.
Barnes wouldn’t be the most expansive attacking option at the Theatre of Dreams, but he could form a neat partnership with Mbeumo on the other wing.
The £70m summer recruit from Brentford has emerged as a talismanic force for Amorim, having scored five times in the Premier League this season, including four goals from his past six outings.
Barnes’ own clinical ability would make for a perfect match, especially with the likes of Bruno Fernandes or the resurgent Mason Mount making play from the middle.
25/26 – NUFC
13
3 + 0
24/25 – NUFC
33
9 + 5
23/24 – NUFC
21
5 + 3
22/23 – LCFC
34
13 + 1
21/22 – LCFC
32
6 + 10
Barnes’ slow start to the current campaign was in line with the general laboriousness at Newcastle, and he has now posted three goals from as many games, bagging four goals from five in the Champions League too.
Though the Englishman, who has been mooted for a conversion to the Scottish national set-up, lacks the dynamism of someone like Matheus Cunha, he has that rare and intangible instinct in front of goal, hailed, in fact, for his “unbelievable” finishing by Jurgen Klopp.
The mounting interest from different spheres is a representation of Barnes’ quality. He is now polished and at ease with his role on the field, and he would likely jump at the chance to help drive this revival at Man United.
A veteran in the Premier League with more to give, Barnes would create the balance needed – and deepen the options at Amorim’s disposal – to not only reclaim a spot in the Champions League but compete, consistently, for silverware too.
Mbeumo is establishing himself as one of United’s finest and most promising signings in recent memory, but the output in the final third is somewhat skewed.
Barnes would help fix that, having been a consistent goalscoring outlet on Tyneside since joining from relegated Leicester City in 2023.
So clinical is Barnes in the final third that he ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90, as per FBref.
Barnes is a proven Premier League goalscorer. You get what you paid for with him, and that’s a good thing. This would add variation and nuance to Amorim’s outfit, and he would be the perfect contrasting wideman to pair with Mbeumo as this team push for more success.
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