Bryan Mbeumo has had a season to remember with Brentford, and now the rumor mill suggests he has his sights set on Old Trafford. After delivering an outstanding campaign, Manchester United are reportedly considering a major move for the Cameroonian forward.
Brentford have never hidden their status as a selling club, and when a player rises above the pack, it’s usually a matter of time before he moves on. With 20 league goals in 2024-25, Mbeumo has firmly placed himself in the shop window, and United appear to be at the front of the queue.
Having already secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves, United seem determined to strengthen their attack early in the window. But Brentford are holding out for a sum close to the £62.5 million that Wolves received for Cunha. Mbeumo’s interest in the move makes it all a matter of whether United are ready to match that price.
Brentford had high expectations for Mbeumo when they signed him from Troyes for just under £6 million back in 2019. Former co-director Rasmus Ankersen predicted he would reach world-class levels. After six seasons of steady growth, this past year might just be the payoff.
Mbeumo’s contribution went beyond goals. Though only three players scored more than his 20, he also ranked first in the Premier League for expected assists (9.3 xA), despite registering just seven actual assists. That gap suggests he was let down by poor finishing from teammates, not creativity.
In front of goal, Mbeumo surpassed all expectations. His 12.3 expected goals were bettered by his real output by 7.7, the largest overperformance in the Premier League. Across the top five European leagues, only Patrik Schick outdid him in this regard.
Even if you take away his five penalty goals, he still overdelivered. He had never reached double digits in league goals before this season, and there’s some debate about whether he can repeat this level of finishing. It might have been a once-in-a-lifetime hot streak. But United are clearly willing to bet that it’s more than that.
Beyond scoring, Mbeumo is a constant presence in the game. Among players with 10 or more goals, only a handful had more touches per 90 minutes than his 50.5. He’s heavily involved in the buildup and direct in approach, ranking among the best for progressive carries in the league.
His nine goal-ending carries were the most in Europe, showing a rare ability to turn solo runs into goals. United, by comparison, only managed five as a team. He added another two assists after carries, making 11 total carry-ending contributions, second only to Mohamed Salah.
Mbeumo also puts in work off the ball. No player made more off-the-ball runs while their team had possession, and he ranked third in the league for total distance covered. He also won the ball in the final third 32 times, more than any United player and third overall.
Durability is another reason Mbeumo stands out. He missed just five minutes all season, starting every match and finishing most of them. Only a few defenders and goalkeepers played more minutes. Since joining Brentford, he has played in over 95 percent of their league matches.
That kind of consistency is something United desperately need. Their back line was a rotating cast, and overall, the team lacked stability. Outside of Bruno Fernandes, few players were ever-present. Mbeumo’s ability to stay fit and available could provide a crucial foundation for Amorim’s system.
Despite not qualifying for Europe, United are still managing to attract top-tier talent. The potential additions of Cunha and Mbeumo show that Old Trafford still holds major appeal. Amorim’s rocky first few months in charge haven’t dampened the club’s ability to lure exciting attacking talent.
There’s no certainty that Mbeumo would deliver the same numbers in a red shirt. But given his creativity, endurance, versatility, and production, he looks like a player worth the investment. If this past season is a glimpse of what’s to come, United might want to act before the price climbs any higher.
Should we send you latest update about your favourite sports and team?
Enter you email in the box below and hit the subscribe button to join our teaming 876+ sports community.
