Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Manchester United’s summer attacking recruits Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have the quality required to return the club to trophy contention.

United signed the three forwards in the summer of 2025 in an effort to strengthen their frontline. Rooney, however, believes expectations that the new arrivals can drive a title challenge this season are misplaced.

Quick facts

• Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha joined Manchester United in the summer of 2025.
• Rooney said the club’s new front line is not strong enough to win major honours.
• United have won one of their opening eight Premier League games.
• Michael Carrick’s team travel to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

“They are deluded if they think the front three they have brought in are good enough; they are not,” Rooney said on Stick To United, rejecting the prospect of United competing for trophies this campaign.

He added that the club had recruited players from Wolves and Brentford, arguing that the wider squad remains “a million miles away” from championship standard.

Manchester United are currently sitting near the relegation places after recording only one victory from eight Premier League fixtures. Carrick’s side face Chelsea away from home at Stamford Bridge this weekend.