Generally, the accolades for a player are reserved for after they sign for a new club, but Man Utd are now signing a player who has received the highest praise before there were even any rumours.
Ineos have made a concerted effort since arriving to sign young players who can develop with the team, or players who can make an immediate impact but with potential to improve as well.
Matheus Cunha fits the latter bill perfectly, while Enzo Kana-Biyik is an example of the former, which means Ineos are executing their strategy perfectly so far.
Bryan Mbeumo figures to be the next in line after a breakthrough in negotiations for him following the second bid, and he’s received some high praise already.
Bryan Mbeumo has received high praise before Man Utd move
United’s deal for Mbeumo was tricky in the sense that he had no release clause, and he had plenty of competition for his services.
It is why Mbeumo is seen as a better signing than even Cunha, who was the quintessential Sir Alex Ferguson transfer.
Cunha was praised by Vitor Pereira after the move, while the words Thomas Frank has already said about Mbeumo should excite Man Utd fans as his transfer is close to completion.
After a Premier League game against Brighton where Mbeumo scored his 18th league goal of the season, Frank called Mbeumo an “unbelievable player”, adding that the player is “shining” (via Reuters).
Mbeumo was once called a potential Mohamed Salah replacement for Liverpool by Jamie Carragher, and when Frank was asked about the comparisons, he went a step ahead and said that Mbeumo has no ceiling; he just knows that he has ‘big potential’.
Frank also praised Mbeumo for his work ethic and character during the season, two traits that are non-negotiable for Ruben Amorim.
Mbeumo could be Man Utd’s best signing of the window
Buying a player who scored 20 goals in the Premier League is worth its weight in gold alone, then add to it his age profile, his ideal fit at Old Trafford, and all the traits mentioned above, and it’s impossible to shake the feeling that he could be United’s best signing of the window.
As good a signing as Cunha is, there was one question mark over him, which was his temperament, and his late blooming after he lost his way early in his career.
On the other hand, Mbeumo’s career has been on an upward trajectory ever since he joined Brentford as a teenager in the second division.
The trait that will fill United with the most confidence is how he has continued to improve and match the level of the game around him.
That should convince United that when he joins, he will raise his game again to match the new standards and scrutiny that follows the club.
He’s fit to play all the time, he can play multiple positions, and is a model professional who is coming off the best season of his career.
Bryan Mbeumo is the real deal and this transfer is a real coup for Man Utd.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
