Is this the best signing since Bruno?
In the past year, Manchester United fans have certainly faced some challenging times, as promised by Rúben Amorim. However, recent weeks have offered a glimmer of hope. United has recorded three consecutive victories for the first time under Amorim, with Bryan Mbeumo proving to be a crucial player. The 26-year-old assisted in the 2-0 victory over Sunderland, scored the opener in United’s first league win at Liverpool since 2016, and netted a brace against Brighton on Saturday.
When United splashed out €75 million to bring Mbeumo from Brentford this summer, many questioned the price tag, but critics have been silenced. The club aimed to strengthen its attack with proven Premier League talent, and Mbeumo has joined Matheus Cunha in fulfilling that objective. Last season, only the three relegated teams and Everton scored fewer league goals than United. Amorim prioritized enhancing their attacking options, and Mbeumo’s contributions have been significant.
Is Bryan Mbeumo one of the most underrated players in the Premier League?
The season started off rocky for United, increasing the pressure on Amorim due to substantial summer investments. Mbeumo faced his own challenges, including a missed penalty during a disappointing League Cup shootout loss to Grimsby. Yet, he has emerged as United’s standout player this season, leading with five goals in ten matches. After the win against Brighton, Amorim praised Mbeumo: “He’s a machine in terms of work ethic. His ability in transition is impressive, and he’s improving our final third organization. The chemistry with Amad is exceptional; both players are quick and excel in one-on-one situations.”
Mbeumo is known for being humble and understated, yet he has not yet gained the superstar recognition of other premier attackers despite his impressive stats. Since the start of last season, only Erling Haaland (33) and Mohamed Salah (32) have scored more Premier League goals than him, with Mbeumo netting 24 times in 47 appearances for both Brentford and Manchester United. While he has played more matches than some rivals, in terms of goal contributions over the same period, he ranks third with 33, just four behind Haaland.
Upcoming Challenge for Manchester United Regarding Mbeumo
A significant challenge lies ahead for United as Mbeumo will compete in the African Cup of Nations. This will be a major setback for Amorim, as Mbeumo could potentially miss up to seven matches if Cameroon progresses to the final, including crucial clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal. Amorim faces a tough decision, as the player best suited to fill Mbeumo’s position on the right wing is Amad, who will also be absent due to AFCON commitments.
