Bryan Mbeumo: Why this attacking wrecking ball could be a game-changer for Manchester United

It’s no secret that Manchester United will be looking to strengthen their squad this summer. While signing a striker remains the top priority, adding depth to Ruben Amorim’s right-side attacking options is also high on the agenda.

Amad, Diogo Dalot, and Noussair Mazraoui have been Ruben Amorim’s preferred options to patrol the right side of the team. Amad has been a revelation this campaign, excelling both as a right-wing-back and in the number 10 role. However, United’s heavy reliance on him was brutally exposed once he sustained a season-ending injury.

Then there’s Dalot, whose long-term suitability remains in question. While his availability over the past two seasons has been a major plus for United, he has yet to prove he can be a reliable mainstay at right-wing-back. Solid defensively, his attacking contributions often fall short of what’s needed.

Meanwhile, Mazraoui has had a much greater impact as part of Amorim’s three-man defence. In recent games, Alejandro Garnacho has been deployed as the right-sided No. 10, but given that he has spent most of his career on the opposite flank, it’s hardly a natural fit for him.

It’s clear to see that United need to bolster their right-sided options and it seemed like they had the perfect target in Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda – a player Amorim knows well from his time at Estádio José Alvalade.

United were seen as frontrunners to sign the highly-rated Quenda this summer, but Chelsea swooped in unexpectedly, hijacking the deal and securing his services in a swift, under-the-radar move that left Amorim’s side completely blindsided.

Quenda is set to remain at Sporting for another season before joining Chelsea in 2026. The teenager is believed to have signed a seven-year contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit. Quenda was widely regarded as the ideal right-wing-back for United and the perfect complement to Amad, but that vision is now nothing more than a distant dream. So, who should United set their sights on next? Bryan Mbeumo.

Already, the Red Devils have been linked to Mbeumo, whose terms at Brentford expire in 2026, although his employers retain the option of extending them by an additional 12 months.

Mbeumo is having a stellar season, with Brentford currently 10th in the Premier League on 41 points—four ahead of United in 13th. He has featured in all 29 of Brentford’s league games so far, scoring a career-high 15 goals and providing five assists. To put into context how crucial he has been for the club, Mbeumo’s goals account for 30% of Brentford’s total output this season.

Ivan Toney’s departure for Saudi Arabia left question marks over Brentford’s source of goals but those doubts have been swiftly answered by Mbeumo.

In addition to his eye for goal, the Cameroon international is extremely versatile – an attribute that would make him a valuable addition at Old Trafford under Amorim.

In Thomas Frank’s occasional 5-3-2 setup, Mbeumo operates as one of the two forwards alongside his strike partner Yoane Wissa. With the wing-backs providing width, Mbeumo drifts into narrower positions, constantly looking for goal-scoring opportunities.

The demands of this role closely mirror what Amorim expects from his number 10s, making it a perfect fit for Mbeumo. If deployed in that position, it would allow Amad to shift to a wing-back role, adding greater dynamism and attacking threat to United’s right side.

However, Mbeumo is also highly effective on the right wing, where he thrives by cutting inside onto his lethal left foot to cross or shoot. He could replicate this same threat as a right-wing-back in a United shirt. His versatility to play both as a number 10 and a right-wing-back, potentially interchanging with Amad, would significantly enhance United’s attacking fluidity and unpredictability.

An added bonus is Mbeumo’s ability to play as a striker when needed – a role he has effectively taken on for Brentford alongside Wissa on multiple occasions.

The 25-year-old also possesses blistering pace, allowing him to zoom past opponents and transition quickly from defence to attack – a crucial asset for a team like United which thrives in transitions and fast breaks. His acceleration and top speed make him a constant menace for defenders.

Despite his stocky frame, Mbeumo displays impressive agility on the ball, effortlessly weaving past challenges before darting into space. Mbeumo’s speed and direct attacking style add an extra edge to Brentford’s offensive play, making their attacks even more dangerous. United have often been criticised in recent months for their sluggish and passive attacking play. Adding a player of Mbeumo’s qualities would inject much-needed pace and urgency, transforming their offensive approach.

At 25, Mbeumo possesses a deep understanding of the game, showing maturity beyond his years. The Avallon-born footballer constantly scans for space, seeking opportunities to challenge the opposition. Another standout aspect of his game is his exceptional stamina and relentless work rate. He tirelessly presses from the front, tracks back, and contributes defensively.

For United, few alternatives to Quenda will be as ideal as Mbeumo. It massively helps that the Cameroonian is already Premier League-proven, meaning he won’t need time to adapt compared to a player arriving from a foreign division.

It has been suggested that Brentford want £50 million to sanction Mbeumo’s sale in the upcoming window. Whether United see this as a fair valuation and decide to launch a push to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams remains to be seen.

What is clear is that United need a player of his standard and the forward is more than ready to take the next big step in his career. It’s a perfect match and he can’t be allowed to slip through the cracks or even worse, fall into the hands of a rival.

Perhaps his fellow countryman, Andre Onana, could have a word with him and help sway him toward United.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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