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How Rio Ferdinand sees Mbeumo and Cunha shifting the mood inside Man Utd

Originally posted on HITC | By Vatsal Gupta | Last updated Nov 14, 2025 12:44 PM ET

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have fitted right into the Manchester United line-up, but their arrival has had an impact beyond just what they bring on the pitch, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Manchester United’s season has been defined by the immediate boost they’ve received from bringing in two players already established in the Premier League.

Cunha’s quality is clear, while Mbeumo brings a relentless edge. Together, they’ve helped revitalise an attack that looked short of ideas last season.

Their impact hasn’t just been about individual performances. According to Rio Ferdinand, their presence has brought about a bigger shift within the squad.

Ferdinand details what’s changed about Man Utd since Cunha and Mbeumo signed

Omar Berrada has likened Cunha to Eric Cantona, not just for his style of play but also for the way he leads from the front.

Mbeumo isn’t as vocal, but he lets his performances speak for him – and that’s really all that matters on the pitch.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Between them, United have upgraded their attack so thoroughly that it feels like an entirely different squad compared to last season.

Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, said: “I think a huge thing has been the acquisition of Cunha and Mbeumo because they are really very good. First of all football guys in terms of loving football. They’re tactically very astute.”

“They have a really good confidence that they brought to the squad that is really feeding through the team.”

Ruben Amorim is driving a reset at Man Utd

Mbeumo and Cunha are earning plenty of praise, but Ruben Amorim’s cultural reset is a big reason why both players chose to move to Old Trafford.

Mbeumo has already spoken about how talks with Amorim played a key role in his decision, while Cunha’s familiarity with the manager’s style helped as well.

The club had seen before that even talented, ambitious players can struggle if the environment around them isn’t set up for success.

This time around, United have made sure their signings were backed by the right structure, and Mbeumo and Cunha are thriving because of the changes Amorim has put in place.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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