United View: Reds continue Mbeumo pursuit

Manchester United have identified Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as their second signing of the summer, as they look to upgrade their attack. 

The highly rated Cameroon international has many admirers, but how will his skill set translate to the Reds?

Signed from French side Troyes back in 2019, Mbeumo has become an integral figure in West London, helping Brentford earn promotion to the top division for the first time in 74 years. 

His first season in the Premier League saw him rack up four goals and seven assists, compared to this campaign, which he ended with 20 goals and eight assists.

Following Ivan Toney’s exit, there were questions about how the Bees would manage without their top goal scorer. 

Mbeumo showed he was more than capable of stepping up to replace Toney’s goal contributions, along with Yoanne Wissa, who amassed 23 goal contributions in the Premier League.

On paper, Mbeumo would be an ideal fit as the right-sided ten in Ruben Amorim’s 343 formation, capable of cutting inside and going for goal, or creating chances, having the highest expected assists in the league with 9.3, ahead of Mohamed Salah.

One of the concerns around Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha is that both have overperformed their expected goals (+6.79 and +6.3, respectively). 

It could be argued that these numbers will be difficult to replicate, or it could be that they are both quality finishers, something severely lacking at Old Trafford right now.

United are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, and this duo could drastically improve their impetus up top.

For example, if you add Mbeumo and Cunha’s combined goals (35) to United’s total for 24/25 (44), the Reds would be the second-highest scorers in the league, behind Liverpool.

Had both players only had one good season in the Premier League, it would be reasonable to assume that United are going after players experiencing a purple patch, but with several seasons under their belt, there’s reason to be optimistic.

Signing some of the best players outside of the biggest teams in the league is nothing new, but it could significantly benefit the Reds, with a shorter adjustment period to the league and fans already having a strong idea of what to expect.

And with Mbeumo still only being 25 years old, he strikes a balance between United’s desire to bring youth and those able to make an immediate impact.

Whilst nothing has been agreed yet, the player wants the move, and with only a year left on his contract, Brentford will be looking to cash in, even though he has an option to extend that by another year.

United’s original bid of £45million plus £10million in add-ons was rejected, but talks remain ongoing.

With the club keen on Mbeumo, this is a deal that United will be looking to conclude swiftly as they plan for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Should a fee be agreed, United will then look towards bringing in a number nine, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres being touted as a top target.

However, it will be interesting to see how the club navigates PSR restrictions, with United looking to move on several players to ensure they don’t come close to breaching any financial rules.

Should United wrap up a second transfer before June has ended, it would be remarkable business and give each player plenty of time to acclimatise to their new surroundings. 

Amorim has expressed his ambition to transform United, and the addition of Cunha and Mbeumo could certainly aid in this coming to fruition.