Manchester United’s 1-0 triumph over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon has injected a newfound sense of optimism that Ruben Amorim is the man to lead the club forward.
Such a performance made it two Premier League wins in a row for the Red Devils, something which hadn’t been achieved since May 2024 under former boss Erik ten Hag.
Dating back to the end of August, the side have now won four of their last six matches, showcasing the impressive work conducted by the boss despite links around his future at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old also appears to have the backing of the hierarchy, especially after Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed he wanted to give the former Sporting CP boss three years in the role.
However, Amorim may have numerous players to thank for the club’s recent upturn in form, with the duo undoubtedly being some of the shining lights during 2025/26.
The underlying stats behind Bruno & Mbeumo’s success in 2025/26
Despite a dismal 2024/25 campaign, Bruno Fernandes managed to achieve some incredible numbers for United, as seen by his tally of 37 combined goals and assists, but the midfielder has continued such form into the new campaign.
He’s currently sitting at the top of the Red Devils’ chances created chart, currently registering 2.8 per 90 – a tally that is way higher than any other player within the squad.
The 31-year-old has also completed the most passes of any player, further highlighting the ability he possesses to provide others with endless opportunities – despite operating in a deeper role after the arrival of one player this summer.
Bruno has had to play as a number eight to help accommodate new addition Bryan Mbeumo, with the Cameroonian showcasing why the hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £71m for his signature.
The 26-year-old has already had an immediate impact, achieving the highest shot-on-target accuracy rate of any player in squad – contributing to his top-goalscorer status at present.
He’s also created the same number of big chances in the Premier League as Bruno, highlighting his all-round quality in attacking areas – something which was greatly lacking in 2024/25.
The United star who’s becoming Amorim’s best player
Mbeumo and Bruno have both registered a total of three combined goals and assists – with the pair registering the most contributions of any players in the United squad.
The efforts in front of goal, coupled with the aforementioned underlying stats, have made the pair some of the first names on Amorim’s teamsheet.
The pair have played key roles in the recent revival of the manager and will likely continue to do so in the near future, potentially bringing about added levels of success in the years ahead.
However, the aforementioned pair may not be the only ones who play a vital role under Amorim, with Amad Diallo arguably being one of his most important players at present.
Before the manager’s arrival at Old Trafford, the Ivorian was barely an impact player under Ten Hag and often had to rely on minutes off the bench to have the desired effect.
He’s since become a consistent starter over the last 12 months, but also doing so in a somewhat unfamiliar role to help fit into the 40-year-old’s infamous 3-4-2-1 system.
The 23-year-old has occupied the RWB position of late, a role that is slightly deeper than what he’s used to, having joined the Red Devils as a right-winger back in the winter of 2021.
However, Amad has taken to life in the position like a duck to water, nailing it down as his own and subsequently producing numerous incredible figures in 2025/26.
He’s featured in all but one league outing to date, only registering one goal contribution, but it’s his underlying stats that have seen him adhere himself to the fanbase.
Games played
7
Goals & assists
1
Pass accuracy
93%
Key passes made
1.4
Dribbles completed
1.2
Tackles made
1.9
Ball recoveries made
4.1
Big chances created
2
The Ivorian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has registered 1.4 key passes per 90 along with a 93% pass completion rate – subsequently showcasing his ability to provide those around him with key chances.
Amad has also completed 1.2 dribbles per 90 in the Premier League, which has allowed him to get into dangerous areas before making the killer pass to one of his teammates.
However, his new role has seen him take on added defensive responsibility, something he’s taken in his stride as seen by his tally of 1.9 tackles and 4.1 ball recoveries made per 90.
As a result of such performances, Amad is rapidly becoming one of the manager’s key performers, showcasing that he can be trusted operating in a somewhat unnatural position.
Should he continue on such a trajectory, the youngster can be a key first-team member for many years to come and help Bruno and Mbeumo in their quest for success in the final third.