Bryan Mbeumo was the scorer of 20 Premier League goals last season, but Man Utd are still in the market for a striker, and the Cameroonian might just have told Ruben Amorim who he wants.
Alongside Matheus Cunha, Man Utd have added 35 Premier League goals between them to a squad that scored 44 as a whole last season.
However, it is notable that both Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo flourished in a system that had a good striker who occupied the defenders and made space for them.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand, Mbeumo spoke about the type of striker good for him, namedropping a player who, coincidentally, United have already been linked to.
Bryan Mbeumo on his ideal strike partner
Mbeumo reached such brilliant heights with Brentford that it is often forgotten that he came from extremely humble beginnings.
When he joined Brentford from Troyes, he didn’t speak any English, and he joined a side that was in the unforgiving second division.
However, he quickly forged some partnerships with the likes of Ivan Toney, Said Benrahma, and, more recently, Yoanne Wissa.
While Wissa is the flavour of the month right now, the player who truly unlocked Mbeumo to be at his best in the Championship was a player who United are linked to right now – Ollie Watkins.
Mbeumo’s partnership with Watkins tore through the Championship at Brentford, and speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, Mbeumo explained why someone like Watkins is perfect for his style of play.
He said: “It was important to have a really good relationship [with Watkins]. I could have a chat with him after my English got better. I think he’s a complete striker.
“He can do a lot of things, drop deep, go in behind. It is really good for me because you can use that space there. He can combine as well. Really good.”
Ruben Amorim and Man Utd should decide quickly
United’s striker search has come down to two options – Watkins and Benjamin Sesko, while a case can be made that a third player is even more suited.
However, after splashing close to £130m on Cunha and Mbeumo, Ineos need to buy a striker who complements the duo’s skill set perfectly.
Watkins is effectively two players rolled into one, so remarkable are his assist numbers to go with his proven goalscoring.
A big reason why Mbeumo and Cunha are being celebrated is that they’ll need no adjustment period since they were already thriving in the Premier League.
By signing Watkins, United can go a step further and rekindle a partnership that won’t even need time to click on the pitch, since they’ve already played together.
Mbeumo’s seal of approval should matter. He might just have made United’s decision for a striker target for them.
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