Liverpool's £125m headache proves two Manchester United players deserve far more credit

Alexander Isak has failed to hit the ground running at Liverpool having moved from a fellow Premier League club, but two Man United players are having no such trouble.

Time is a luxury rarely afforded to Premier League players, particularly those at top clubs who have signed in mega-money deals. Sign for the Premier League champions for a British record transfer fee and you can expect the heat to be on you immediately.

Arne Slot asked again last week for Alexander Isak to be given more time after a stuttering start to his Anfield career. The Swedish striker has just one goal in eight games since his blockbuster summer switch, an early-season return that has of course been impacted by injury issues.

Nevertheless, one goal against lower league opposition - his sole striker coming against Southampton in the Carabao Cup - in more than 400 minutes of football is not good enough from the most expensive player in top flight history.

No transfer will ever be devoid of risk, but steps can be taken to reduce the risk attached to new signings.

Manchester United looked to take said steps in the summer, with two of their marquee signings drafted in from fellow Premier League clubs.

Amorim referenced the benefit of buying players who had already adapted to life in England and the Premier League earlier this year, saying of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha: “It’s important to sign players as soon as possible. They’ve proved already in the Premier League. Matheus can play in different positions so you can change the starting XI.

“They are really humble, that is really important. They had other options, they read what people say about our club but they chose to be here and this is a key point for me."

Summer signing Senne Lammens has made an immediate impact since his debut against Sunderland, though there's a strong case to be made that the excitement around the young Belgian owes as much to the disastrous displays of those who came before him as much has his own solid showings. But Mbeumo and Cunha have undoubtedly been the stand-out stars of United's summer recruitment.

Much has been made of the Premier League experience they brought with them to Old Trafford, and it has certainly helped them settle. But the performances of Isak at Liverpool prove that moving from one Premier League side to another does not guarantee success.

With the pressure ramped up and the scrutiny intensified following a move to one of the biggest clubs in the league, plenty of players understandably wilt.

Mbeumo and Cunha have done the exact opposite. And that deserves to be recognised.

---

Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.

Click here to read article