Man Utd have got recruitment wrong too often in recent years, but things are looking up after one deal in particular in the summer.

Robin van Persie’s heroics for Manchester United in his first season at Old Trafford won the club its last Premier League title. Bryan Mbeumo’s efforts might only be good enough for a return to the Champions League, but that doesn’t make his start to life at the club any less impactful.

A major reason United have gone 13 years without a Premier League title is their recruitment. It has been consistently underwhelming and has often lacked a clear, long-term strategy. One minute, there is a focus on superstars; the next, the plan is to target young domestic players.

Really, United should be just focusing on signing the best players available to strengthen their squad. Adding youth and bringing in players with their best years ahead of them is always ideal, with Senne Lammens a good example, but there also needs to be arrivals who can hit the ground running.

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That is exactly what Mbeumo has done. The £65million summer signing from Brentford is in the running for the club’s player of the year award, and is only likely to be denied that honour due to the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes.

Mbeumo is certainly United’s best signing since Fernandes, who joined from Sporting for an initial £47million in January 2020. Between them, they are leading the charge to get the club back in the Champions League.

The Cameroon international’s return of 10 goals in 22 games is impressive and even more eye-catching is who he has scored against. He has scored home and away against Tottenham and netted against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. More than half of his Premier League goals for United have been against their ‘big six’ rivals.

In the process, he became the first United player to score against City, Liverpool and Arsenal in his first season at the club since 2012/13. He is the first player to do it at any point in their United career since Marcus Rashford three seasons ago.

It’s difficult to understate Mbeumo’s impact. He is a versatile forward who has played as a No. 9 under Michael Carrick, as a No. 10 under Ruben Amorim, and on either wing, as he may do if Benjamin Sesko returns to the side. Whatever position he plays, he is delivering.

This should now be the template for United transfers. Ineos put a rather ambitious target of winning the league by 2028, and it’s pretty clear United look short of that at the moment.

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The good news is that there is suddenly no outstanding club to catch. The days of Manchester City and Liverpool racking up points totals in the high 90s are over and don’t look like returning any time soon.

City are in transition, and Pep Guardiola could depart this summer, which would only add to the unpredictability at the Etihad. Liverpool are in a similar situation under Arne Slot. Arsenal could end their long title drought this season, but under Mikel Arteta, they aren’t in the same league as City and Liverpool were at their peak.

United still have significant improvements to make, however. But in Mbeumo, they have an idea of what their new signings should be able to achieve.

The 26-year-old has helped to transform the attack this season. This summer, the focus will turn to midfield. In trying to replace Casemiro and bring in two new midfielders, United need players who can make the same kind of immediate impact.

That is the only way they are going to achieve that ambition of winning the league, whether it takes two years or a little longer. Recruitment is the most important aspect of achieving success in football, and while United have got it wrong for years, there is an obvious example now of how they can get it right.

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Harry Maguire’s future and comments from one his team-mates feature in our Manchester United round-up

Manchester United enjoyed a restful weekend as their top-four rivals were in FA Cup action. United exited the competition at the third round stage after a loss to Brighton, giving them an extended break between games.

United’s winning streak under Michael Carrick was halted by West Ham last week, though he remains undefeated since succeeding Ruben Amorim. The next fixture is a visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton in a week’s time.

United will utilise their extended break on the training pitch, and it has also given some of Carrick’s players an opportunity to regain fitness following injuries. Mason Mount, who missed the matches against Fulham and West Ham due to a muscle problem, is one such player hoping to return in time to face the Toffees.

Matthijs de Ligt is also on the verge of returning, with Patrick Dorgu being the only long-term absentee. Carrick will be hoping to have nearly a full squad to choose from for the remainder of the season as he strives to keep United in the top four and secure a Champions League return.

Here, Manchester Evening News provides all the latest updates from Old Trafford.

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Harry Maguire stance addressed

Harry Maguire’s teammates believe the club would be “mad” not to extend the defender’s contract past the summer. The 32-year-old has experienced a revival under Carrick after being used sparingly under both Amorim and Erik ten Hag.

There’s growing support among fans for offering Maguire a new contract, with his current one due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season. It appears that the United dressing room shares this sentiment, with a source telling The Sun about his importance to the team.

The source said: “The players think it would be madness if he was not offered a new deal. Harry has endured plenty of ups and downs at United but has come through all that and is playing really well.

“He’s very well-respected in the dressing room and is passing on a lot of knowledge to some of the younger players like Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro.

“Everyone likes him and respects him and the majority of the players want the club to give him a deal.”

Bryan Mbeumo receives verdict

Matheus Cunha has been full of praise for fellow summer signing Bryan Mbeumo, stating that the ex-Brentford player can bring “something special” to Old Trafford. The duo joined United last year for a combined £128.5million and have since provided the goalscoring threat the team has been sorely lacking.

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Between them, they’ve contributed 20 goals and assists, rapidly establishing themselves as fan favourites. It appears Cunha’s top choice at United is also Mbeumo, as he revealed to Premier League Productions exactly what his attacking teammate brings to the side.

He said: “A lot of energy. What a lovely guy. I’m around him every day, he’s someone that is fun. I always play against him and we talk about the games that we played in the past, Brentford against Wolves.

“But to be together now and help United is something that when we arrive here, we feel like, wow, we can be a small part of the success of the team. It’s something that is a challenge that is everything to us.”

Speaking about Mbeumo’s impressive displays since his return from AFCON, Cunha added: “He’s very intelligent, he’s very clever. So he can use his strength very, very good, like going to space, he shoots so well, so good.

“This is the kind of number nine we need to have. Of course, he’s someone that helped us so much and it’s a pleasure to play with him. He’s more than the position that he plays. Being around him in the pitch, we know he can create something special.”