Despite only being signed in the summer, Bryan Mbeumo is already making the spotlight his own at Manchester United.
When Manchester United announced that they’d signed Bryan Mbeumo for £65m in July, it was a transfer move which was rare in that few doubted the success of the player.
Mbeumo arrived as close to a sure thing as possible, with fans well aware of how good he is considering the numbers he put up in the Premier League for Brentford.
United did their homework on Mbeumo, with the interest driven through analytics which showed the Cameroon international was a league leading attacker. So far at United, Mbeumo has settled quicker than any signing in the past decade with the exception of Bruno Fernandes with five goals and one assist this season for the club.
But what makes him the ideal player for the Red Devils.
Bryan Mbeumo has all the tools to become a great for Manchester United
Mbeumo is a special footballer, looking at home in the United shirt immediately with his quality shining through and transforming the United attack.
In comparison to wingers United have had over the past few years, Mbeumo is a breath of fresh air, not being interested in looking good, instead just putting in stellar performances, creating chances and scoring goals.
Mbeumo has the inevitability of Mohamed Salah when he picks the ball up in goal scoring positions, and he combined this with incredible work ethic on and off the ball, making him a nightmare for opposition.
Despite having shown excellent levels already at United, Mbeumo can become so much better than he currently is, with his lethal touch from Brentford yet to arrive.
This will come as he develops the relationships that fans are beginning to see with Matheus Cunha and Amad on the right.
Mbeumo and Amad have become the league’s deadliest right side and this will only improve as they continue to learn eachother’s game.
Off the pitch, Mbeumo also seems very popular among teammates which will quickly make him a leader, as he already has become on the pitch through the example of his performances.
Bryan Mbeumo praised by footballing figures
Mbeumo is a top footballer, but you don’t have to just take our word for it, with his peers in full agreement.
When it looked like the signing was imminent, Rio Ferdinand said he was thrilled United signed Mbeumo.
“If they get Mbeumo, I’ll be very happy. He wants to come, I know it”, Ferdinand explained to his co-host.
“His stats over the last three seasons in the Premier League are up there, by the way, goals and assists, goal chances, ridiculous. Another proven Premier League player, this is what I like, no adjustment business.”
MUTV pundit Ben Thornley was heaping praise on Mbeumo before he even signed for the club, during Brentford’s 4-3 win over United in May.
“I’m interested to see how Harry Amass copes”, Thornley began in relation to the youngster taking on Mbeumo.
“With a player who is almost unplayable on his day, in Bryan Mbeumo. The pace, the power, the finishing prowess, and we’ve already mentioned that he plays so much football, he’s never injured. Another thing Bryan Mbeumo does have is two wonderful feet.”
The Cameroon international is so good that Jamie Carragher suggested Mbeumo as Mohamed Salah’s replacement last year.
“I think of my old club with the situation regarding Mohamed Salah, a left-footed player on the right side, who can fit the bill?
“He [Mbeumo] is someone whose name that always crops up because of his ability and the club he is at. The things they look at are probably similar to Liverpool. (I’m a) Huge fan of his.”
Thomas Frank also praised Mbeumo heavily in the summer after he had become Tottenham manager.
“It is clear that if he is to be sold, it must be for a nice, nice amount. It is a lot. Really a lot. Then it is clear that it is impossible to replace him one-for-one. It cannot be done.
“There is a reason why he costs x number of million pounds, and we do not have x number of million pounds to buy for. I would say that I would be surprised if a lot of big clubs don’t look at him.
“I would be surprised by what he has to offer. How many wingers score 20 goals for a mid-table club? And then with seven assists, plus his work ethic. And his character. All these things mean that he has a lot, so he is a good player.”
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