With Gameweek 1 fast approaching, FPL managers are facing one of the most intriguing dilemmas of pre-season: who offers better value at £8.0m Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha?
Both have just completed big-money moves to Manchester United, stepping into a side that desperately struggled in attack last season. United needed goals, fluidity, and consistency and they’ve responded by investing in two of the Premier League’s standout performers from 2024/25.
With both expected to start and priced identically, this might be the toughest midfield call ahead of GW1.
So... who should you back?
Let’s break it down 👇
🤑 Manchester United have spent €155M on two new attackers:
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 21, 2025
🇨🇲 Bryan Mbeumo - €80M 💰
🇧🇷 Matheus Cunha - €75M 💰 pic.twitter.com/7dHKdl8ZC5
🔴 Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m – MID – Manchester United)
🔢 2024/25 Stats (at Brentford):
- Games: 38
- Goals: 20
- Assists: 7
- FPL Points: 236
- Penalties: ✅ Yes
- Position: Midfielder (often played as a winger)
Mbeumo was one of the most consistent FPL assets last season, delivering a brilliant 236 points through a mix of penalties, set pieces, and smart positioning. Operating as Brentford’s attacking talisman, he regularly overperformed his price bracket.
Now at Manchester United, he’s expected to play high and wide or even centrally at times offering OOP (out-of-position) value. As a midfielder in FPL, that gives you:
- 🔼 An extra point per goal
- ✅ Clean sheet points
- 🧩 Better squad flexibility
The challenge? United’s opening fixture is away to Arsenal, a tough start. But Mbeumo’s form, role, and attacking involvement still make him one of the most popular £8.0m picks in the game.
🔴 Matheus Cunha (£8.0m – MID – Manchester United)
🔢 2024/25 Stats (at Wolves):
- Games: 33
- Goals: 15
- Assists: 6
- FPL Points: 178
- Penalties: ❌ No
- Position: Midfielder (playing centrally)
Cunha comes into the season with huge hype and rightly so. After a breakout year at Wolves where he tallied 15 goals and 6 assists, he’s earned a marquee move to Old Trafford and is expected to start in his Ruben Amorim's team.
Like Mbeumo, he’s an FPL midfielder, giving him a scoring edge compared to forwards. His energy, pressing, and link-up play fit perfectly into the attacking style United are trying to re-establish.
Yes, GW1 away to Arsenal is far from ideal — but if United hit the ground running, Cunha could become essential very quickly.
🧠 Our Verdict
If you're looking for consistency, set-piece threat, and safety, Mbeumo is the smarter pick and a higher attacking ceiling from midfield.
But if you're chasing differential upside, Cunha might be the early-season swing you need. He’s explosive, likely to be involved in everything up top, and could become a bandwagon player quickly if he scores at the Emirates.
✅ Our pick: Mbeumo (for now)
🔁 Wildcard differential: Cunha
