Former Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo could finally show Ruben Amorim a superb “skill” that he has in his arsenal when he finally makes his Manchester United debut.
Bryan Mbeumo is now part of the Manchester United pre-season tour of the United States after the 25-year-old ex-Bees forward was named in the travelling squad.
The Red Devils summer signing’s transfer saga finally came to an end earlier this week, with United landing Mbeumo from Brentford for an initial fee of £65m.
United’s deal for Mbeumo included a further £6m in add-ons and the £71m package eclipses the £62.5m fee that the Red Devils paid for Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Mbeumo had been a key target for United this summer alongside former Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha, who arrived at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim in June.
What Thomas Frank noticed about Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford is exactly what Ruben Amorim will want to see at Man Utd
Bryan Mbeumo had also attracted interest from Tottenham and Spurs’ interest intensified after ex-Brentford manager Thomas Frank was appointed at the club.
However, the ex-Tottenham target had been keen for a move to United and turned down a potential reunion with Thomas Frank, who coached Mbeumo at the Bees.
Mbeumo impressed under new Tottenham manager Frank last season and the French-born attacker netted 20 times in 42 matches across all competitions.
Frank has praised Mbeumo’s development at Brentford in the past and the 51-year-old manager made an eye-opening assessment of the United ace’s ability on the ball.
The Spurs boss said that Mbeumo had become a lot “more consistent” with crossing the ball under him and the “little weight of pass” that he could now put on the ball.
“It’s been quite a journey,” he told The Times in 2024.
“His hold-up play in tricky situations is so much improved. His finishing is more consistent, his crossing is more consistent; when two players are close to him, he finds that little weight of pass, that’s a skill he has massively improved.
“I’m convinced there is much more to come.”
Bryan Mbeumo’s key skill development under Thomas Frank has made him the perfect fit for Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd tactical system
Mbeumo is expected to play as the right-sided No 10 in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system for United, with Matheus Cunha out on the left-sided role in the set-up.
The Cameroon international earned high praise for his scintillating form last season, which included nine assists to his name in Thomas Frank’s system at Brentford.
Mbeumo’s ability to absorb pressure from two players and to find the right weight of pass on the ball could unlock a United striker’s true potential in Amorim’s set-up.
United will kick off the start of their three-match tour of the United States on Sunday against West Ham and all eyes will be on a potential Red Devils debut for Mbeumo.
The skill that Mbeumo improved under former Brentford manager Frank could be the final missing puzzle piece for Amorim when it comes to his No 10s in his system.
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