Scoring machine or just a freak season? Manchester United are betting big on Bryan Mbeumo — and here’s why it could either transform their front line or test their transfer strategy yet again.
Manchester United are on a mission to rebuild their firepower — and they’re not wasting any time.
After a woeful season that saw them post their lowest ever Premier League points tally and a record-low 44 goals, the Red Devils have already splashed £62.5 million on Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha. Now, they’ve turned their attention to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, making an improved offer reportedly worth over £60 million after an earlier £45 million bid was rejected.
The question is simple:
Is Mbeumo the solution to United’s attacking crisis — or just a one-season wonder?
Let’s break it down.
Mbeumo’s Breakout Season — Or Lightning in a Bottle?
Mbeumo lit up the Premier League last season with 20 goals — all in league play. Only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland scored more.
But here’s the catch: it was his first-ever double-digit season in a top-flight league.
Before that?
- 11 goals for Troyes in France’s Ligue 2 (2018-19)
- 16 goals in the Championship for Brentford (2019-20)
- Then: three steady but unspectacular PL campaigns with 8, 9, and 9 goals respectively.
What raised eyebrows was his expected goals (xG) stat: only 12.3. That means Mbeumo outperformed his xG by 7.7 goals — an anomaly rarely sustained over time.
In the past five seasons, only 14 players in the Premier League have overperformed their xG by at least five goals in a season. The only one to do it more than once? Son Heung-min.
Still, Mbeumo’s 2024-25 campaign earned him a Premier League Player of the Year nomination, and his work rate, movement, and finishing were undeniable.
Fit Into Amorim’s United: More Than Just Goals
This isn’t just about stats.
Ruben Amorim, United’s new manager, is building a system — not just buying names. Mbeumo fits the mold: high work rate, pressing intelligence, and positional versatility.
💡 Here’s what Mbeumo brings:
- Prefers the right flank, but comfortable centrally or behind a striker
- One of the top ball carriers in the league with consistent end product
- Most touches per 90 minutes among 15+ goal scorers
- 7 assists, but a league-leading 9.3 xA (expected assists) — meaning his teammates should have scored more from his service
In fact, his xA was higher than Salah’s (9.1), even though Salah had 18 assists.
Pairing Mbeumo with Cunha — who also outperformed his xG (15 goals from 8.6 xG) — gives United not just threat, but variety. Especially when compared to last season, where Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo tied as top league scorers with just eight goals each.
Amorim’s Vision: Creating Space, Forcing Teams Back
United’s attack lacked depth and dynamism. Too many players wanted to operate in tight spaces. Amorim wants to stretch the field, press higher, and open up more lanes for his midfielders and full-backs.
Mbeumo and Cunha are both:
- Physically strong ball carriers
- Comfortable dropping deep or attacking the box
- Used to Premier League intensity, meaning no settling-in period required
The long-term vision involves pairing them with a traditional number nine — someone who can hold up play, create overloads, and allow Mbeumo to attack second balls and cutbacks.
From £5.8M Bargain to £60M Star: The Rise of Bryan Mbeumo
When Brentford signed an 18-year-old Mbeumo from Troyes in 2019 for a club-record £5.8 million, few predicted a meteoric rise like this.
Fast-forward six years:
- A critical piece of Brentford’s PL survival
- Stepped out of Ivan Toney’s shadow after his move to Al-Ahli
- Played more minutes than nearly every other outfield player on the team
- Known for dedication off the pitch, including hiring personal chefs, trainers, and physiotherapists
“Every little thing you can add to what we do in training can help,” Mbeumo told BBC Sport Africa.
“I try to arrange everything around my life to be the best as possible on the pitch.”
Final Word: United’s Gamble Could Pay Off
There’s no denying Mbeumo’s talent. The question isn’t if he can succeed — it’s how consistently he can do it at a club like Manchester United, under pressure, under scrutiny, and surrounded by teammates still finding form.
But if Amorim’s system clicks — and Mbeumo’s 2024-25 numbers weren’t a fluke — this could be a transformative signing for United.
One thing is clear: with Cunha and Mbeumo in the mix, Manchester United will be a much bigger goal threat next season.
And that’s exactly what they need.
