Bryan Mbeumo is reportedly eyeing a move to Manchester United this summer. After a standout campaign with Brentford, a big-money transfer would make plenty of sense.
When your manager publicly admits the club operates as “a selling club” and you have players performing at an elite level compared to their European counterparts, the writing is usually on the wall.
That’s why it now seems inevitable that Mbeumo will depart Brentford before the new season begins.
Fresh off the back of his first-ever 20-goal season, the Cameroon forward has naturally caught the attention of several Premier League heavyweights. According to reports, Manchester United are currently his preferred destination.
United, keen to avoid a repeat of the issues that plagued Ruben Amorim’s debut season, appear to be moving decisively in this window. With Matheus Cunha already expected to arrive from Wolves, Mbeumo could well be next through the door.
Brentford, however, are holding out for a fee similar to the £62.5 million Wolves secured for Cunha. With Mbeumo seemingly eager for the switch, the deal now hinges on whether United are prepared to meet that valuation for another attacking reinforcement so soon.
Whether or not Mbeumo ultimately proves to be a smart investment for United remains to be seen. However, Brentford’s confidence when they made him their record signing in 2019 might offer Old Trafford’s hierarchy some optimism.
Then co-director of football Rasmus Ankersen was clear about his faith in the player’s potential. Former Brentford captain Pontus Jansson recalled to The Athletic earlier this year: “He said, ‘We are going to buy a young player from France, and if he is not a world-class player in a couple of years, I’m going to be very disappointed.’”
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Mbeumo’s Evolution Into an Elite Attacker and Brentford’s Golden Investment
When Bryan Mbeumo arrived at Brentford from Troyes for £5.8 million during their Championship days, few could have predicted the remarkable rise that would follow. Six years later, he has emphatically justified Rasmus Ankersen’s early faith in him. His standout performances in the 2024-25 season have firmly established his status among Europe’s top attackers, and his eventual departure will deliver Brentford a substantial profit on their initial outlay. His statistics this season provide a clear explanation for why Brentford can now command such a hefty transfer fee.
Mbeumo has evolved into both a prolific scorer and a creative force, arguably the most inventive among the Premier League’s leading scorers. While only three players found the net more than his 20 goals, his creativity stood out. He finished 17th for assists (seven), yet topped the Premier League for expected assists (9.3 xA). The discrepancy between his xA and actual assists highlights how often his teammates squandered the chances he laid on. To put it in perspective, Mohamed Salah registered 18 assists from a lower xA (9.1), underlining Mbeumo’s misfortune.
In front of goal, Mbeumo surpassed all expectations. Having never previously scored more than nine Premier League goals in a single season, he surged to 20 in 2024-25, outperforming his expected goals (12.3 xG) by a league-best +7.7. Across Europe’s top five leagues, only Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick (+8.5) bettered that level of overperformance.
Part of his goalscoring success can be credited to his reliability from the penalty spot. Before his recent miss against Fulham, he had been flawless with 11 consecutive conversions in the Premier League. Even without counting his five penalties, Mbeumo still exceeded his xG by 7.5—again, with only Schick (+8.3) doing better in Europe’s major leagues.
Beyond Goals: Why Mbeumo’s All-Round Play Makes Him a Worthy Gamble
A goal return like Mbeumo’s usually points to one of two conclusions — either the player has developed into a clinical finisher, or they’ve simply hit a rare purple patch that might not last. Considering this was the first time in his four Premier League seasons that he outperformed his expected goals, it’s fair to question whether this level of finishing is sustainable. It’s entirely possible that this season was an outlier in terms of goalscoring.
However, it might not be. That’s the calculated risk Manchester United seem prepared to take. More crucially, Mbeumo’s influence on the pitch extends far beyond just putting the ball in the net. Even if his scoring rate drops to a more typical level next season, his overall contribution will remain invaluable.
Among players who scored 10 or more goals in the Premier League this season, only four averaged more touches per 90 minutes than Mbeumo (50.5), emphasizing his active role in general play. Among those who netted at least 15 times, he topped the list, further highlighting his involvement.
When Mbeumo has the ball, his priority is clear: drive directly at goal. He ranks among the league’s elite ball carriers, finishing seventh among attackers for progressive carries last season (267), defined as carrying the ball at least five metres up the pitch.
What truly sets him apart is his productivity at the end of those runs. Mbeumo scored following nine of his progressive carries — more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. To underline the gap, that total is four more than Manchester United’s entire squad managed combined (five), indicating how much his arrival could improve United’s attacking threat.
Mbeumo also chipped in with two assist-ending carries, giving him a combined total of 11 carries leading to a goal or assist — the second-highest across Europe’s major leagues, only trailing Mohamed Salah (13), and surpassing names like Vinícius Júnior (11) and Lamine Yamal (10). The fact that he’s matching output with Ballon d’Or-level players is testament to the elite company he now keeps in this metric.
Relentless Work Rate, Durability, and the Allure of Old Trafford
Mbeumo’s impact isn’t limited to what he does on the ball — his work ethic without possession is equally impressive. No player in the Premier League made more off-the-ball runs (1,038) when a teammate had possession during the 2024-25 season, illustrating his constant movement to create space. In terms of distance covered, only Bruno Guimarães (421.0 km) and Daniel Muñoz (389.6 km) covered more ground than Mbeumo’s 387.6 km. Defensively, too, he made his presence felt, winning possession in the final third 32 times — a figure bettered only by Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (37) and Brentford colleague Mikkel Damsgaard (35).
Another key advantage of signing Mbeumo is his exceptional fitness record. Across the entire Premier League campaign, he missed just five minutes of a possible 3,420, starting all 38 matches and only being substituted three times. In terms of minutes played (3,415), only six players — including Brentford defender Nathan Collins and five goalkeepers — featured more.
Injury problems have barely affected him throughout his Brentford career. According to transfermarkt.com, he has suffered just one notable injury — an ankle problem that sidelined him briefly during the winter of 2023-24. Excluding that period, he has featured in 95.6% of Brentford’s league matches over six seasons, showcasing remarkable consistency and availability.
Having durable players is often underrated, but crucial for building cohesion in a team. Manchester United’s defensive struggles last season — where they had to rely on 10 different centre-backs in Premier League games — demonstrated the damage that injury crises can do to squad stability. Someone like Mbeumo, capable of consistently starting games, could be vital for Amorim’s plans.
Apart from Bruno Fernandes, consistency in availability was sorely lacking at Old Trafford last season. Signing players like Mbeumo, proven to endure the rigours of a full campaign, makes logical sense. With no European commitments this season, United could reasonably expect him to feature in every single league fixture.
Despite their recent struggles, United’s pursuit of Mbeumo, alongside the imminent arrival of Matheus Cunha, highlights the enduring appeal of playing at Old Trafford. Amorim’s early months in charge may have been turbulent, but his project remains ambitious enough to lure two of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards from 2024-25.
There’s no certainty that both players will immediately replicate their form in Manchester, but considering Mbeumo’s relentless work rate, upward development, and overall contribution, this would be far from a reckless gamble.
Read More: What Jeremie Frimpong Brings to Liverpool: Speed, Dribbling, and Direct Attacking Threat
FAQs
Why is Bryan Mbeumo attracting interest from Manchester United?
Bryan Mbeumo’s exceptional 2024-25 season, where he scored 20 goals and led the Premier League in expected assists, has made him one of the most sought-after attackers. His ability to combine goal-scoring with creativity fits the profile of what Manchester United need to strengthen their frontline.
How much could Manchester United have to pay to sign Mbeumo?
Brentford are reportedly demanding a fee comparable to what Wolves received for Matheus Cunha, around £62.5 million. With Mbeumo keen on the move, it now depends on whether United are willing to pay that sum for their second major attacking signing of the summer.
Is Mbeumo’s goal-scoring form sustainable at Manchester United?
While Mbeumo massively outperformed his expected goals in 2024-25, raising questions about sustainability, his all-round attacking contribution, elite ball-carrying ability, and creativity make him valuable even if his scoring output slightly drops.
What does Mbeumo offer apart from goals?
Mbeumo is known for his relentless work rate off the ball, creative playmaking, and elite dribbling. He led Europe’s top five leagues in goal-ending carries and ranked among the best for progressive carries, highlighting his threat in transition.
How reliable is Mbeumo in terms of fitness and availability?
Mbeumo has an outstanding record for availability, missing just five minutes of Brentford’s entire Premier League season in 2024-25. Over six seasons with Brentford, he’s played in over 95% of their league matches, making him one of the most durable attacking players in England.
