Aston Villa and England forward Ollie Watkins has recalled his experience of playing alongside Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo during his time at Brentford.
Bryan Mbeumo made a name for himself at Brentford after the 26-year-old Manchester United star arrived in England from French side Troyes in 2019.
The Cameroon international’s successful spell at the Gtech Community Stadium under Thomas Frank earned Mbeumo his stunning move to United last summer.
Man Utd star Mbeumo arrived at Brentford after Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who had signed for the Bees in 2017 after leaving Exeter City.
READ MORE: Benjamin Sesko names Man Utd’s two best players other than Bruno Fernandes in 2025/26 season
What do you think is the reason behind Bryan Mbeumo’s recent dip in form?
Ollie Watkins praises Man Utd forward Bryan Mbeumo’s role in Brentford’s famed ‘BMW’ attacking set-up
Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbeumo were both key parts of Thomas Frank’s ‘BMW’ trident alongside Said Benrahma, who is now in the Saudi Pro League, at Brentford.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand, Watkins was asked what it was like to look back on the impact of the much-loved ‘BMW’ attacking dynamic since the trio all left the club.
The 30-year-old Aston Villa star admitted that he admired how Manchester United attacker Mbeumo would always put the interest of the team first ahead of his own.
“So, and Bryan was always so unselfish,” Watkins told Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“Like, whenever we’re around the box or there’s [sic] times where he could maybe shoot, he would always look to cross it and set me up.
“So yeah, it was an enjoyable time. It’s nice to see that. Yeah, they’ve had good careers and they’re successful.”
Give us your verdict on Bryan Mbeumo’s 2025/26 season at Manchester United…
Ollie Watkins on playing alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Said Benrahma under former Brentford boss Thomas Frank
Watkins left Brentford and signed for Villa in 2020, while Mbeumo moved to Man Utd in 2025 and Said Benrahma completed his transfer to Neom in the same year as well.
The ex-Brentford and Exeter City player admitted that the “connection” between him and both Mbeumo and Benrahma was strong during their time under Thomas Frank.
“Now, just because it was such a good time, we, like Bryan and Said knew of each other, two French boys, like Said couldn’t speak much English,” Watkins explained.
“And Bryan was kind of like the gel in between, but we just had like such a good connection.
“Like, I knew that Said would do all the tricks and stuff like that. I’d just leave him to it. But he would always, I always knew what he was going to do.
“So, after the four or five stepovers, I knew what he was going to do. He’s going to play a one-two or he’s going to in-swing a cross to me.”
Mbeumo has signed off his first full season at Old Trafford and the former Brentford ace netted 12 times and registered three assists in 34 matches for Man Utd.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
