INEOS can repeat transfer trick which downed Everton to fix Man United | OneFootball

The decisive kick in Manchester United’s crucial win over Everton was Benjamin Sesko’s sweeping one-touch finish.

The 22-year-old emphatically rounded off a devastating counterattack by slamming past a scrambling Jordan Pickford from a Bryan Mbeumo assist, the Cameroonian haring onto the end of a magnificent Matheus Cunha pass from deep within his own half.

It was a smash-and-grab amidst concerted Everton pressure, the increasingly combative hosts pumping crosses and corners into a crowded six-yard box which was boldly commanded by Senne Lammens, who held out for a clean sheet just as important as the goal.

Shining summer signings

Those four players, the architects of United’s gritty triumph on Merseyside, all arrived last summer in what is proving to be the club’s best transfer window for years.

The Belgian goalkeeper rightly won Man of the Match, making four saves, four punches and two high claims. It was his most impressive showing to date.

In truth Mbeumo and Cunha were not at their best, making up two thirds of a frequently insipid attack, but each has enjoyed a sustained period in the sun at Old Trafford.

Sesko meanwhile continued to do what he currently does best, netting another winner from the bench as he finds a formidable run of fairly niche form.

Problems seen

As a battered United emerged with all three points from the Hill Dickinson Stadium, their much-maligned recruitment team could be forgiven a round of back pats.

The club went into the summer transfer window with some serious work to do, tasked with equipping a manager with players appropriate for his very specific system. As it turns out, the players they settled on are much more than single-use cogs in a machine which never quite got into gear.

The everlasting cutting of deadwood also had to happen, although Ruben Amorim had done a good job of singling out the men not suited to his system or the club – whatever else he did wrong, he didn’t make a wrong move there.

Problems solved

The iniquitous INEOS have been calamitous in many ways but to their credit did learn from their first summer window in charge.

A deal for Cunha was agreed immediately, and while the Mbeumo saga dragged on interminably they did get it over the line to acquire two of the best attackers in the Premier League from outside the big six. With an exodus of forwards, they were necessary signings close to best in class.

In Sesko they secured one of Europe’s most sought-after centre-forwards, an undoubted upgrade on the floundering Rasmus Hojlund. With no Premier League experience and still tender in years he was certainly a gamble, but one with less risk attached than the Dane he was replacing.

They saved their biggest risk for last, opting for the young Lammens over veteran Emi Martinez to solve the glaring problem developing between the posts.

Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir looked miles out of their depth, and the pressure heaped on Lammens was immense – but the scouts came good, unearthing a gem with not only the technical skills but apparently also the mental fortitude to succeed at Old Trafford.

Must repeat the trick

While it’s still too early to fully judge any of the four, the signs are encouraging and significantly the logic is sound. Instead of turning to Joshua Zirkzee to address a goal drought, or Manuel Ugarte to succeed Casemiro, they brought in the right players at the right time.

But the wheel never stops turning and that latter task is still outstanding. Casemiro is leaving, Ugarte isn’t good enough – is it any surprise United keep losing midfield battles?

To prove last summer wasn’t a fluke, INEOS must act decisively and spend whatever they have to to fix the issue. The club has money – and will be even more flush if they hang on for Champions League football – and has shown that it knows how to identify a problem.

Now, they have to actually do it. There is a solid goalkeeper, a sturdy defence and a productive attack – the glaring issue is in midfield, and a concerted transfer effort can begin to address it in one fell swoop. Come summer the chips will be firmly down, and it will be over to INEOS to make their move.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social