Bryan Mbeumo looks forward to Bruno Fernandes link-up at Manchester United
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes during a pre-season game against West Ham United.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Bryan Mbeumo says he is excited about linking up with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, as he prepares for life at Old Trafford following his move from Brentford.
After many weeks of drawn-out talks, the 25-year-old finally joined the Red Devils last week for £65 million (S$111.9 million) plus a potential £6 million in add-ons.
The Cameroon winger, who scored 20 goals and provided seven assists for Brentford in the English Premier League last season, has signed a five-year deal with United, becoming their third signing of the summer transfer window.
Mbeumo told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that Fernandes – who scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for United last season – was the player he was most looking forward to playing with.
“Everyone sees in the past years, he can shoot, he can cross, he can do crazy ball,” he said. “Yeah, for a striker, you just enjoy that.”
Mbeumo is hoping to benefit from the experience of the Portuguese midfielder, who said in June he had rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia to stay at United, despite their struggles last season.
The team finished 15th in the league and also lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
“On the pitch, when you’re smart like he is, I think you don’t even need to think a lot,” Mbeumo added of Fernandes. “You just need to make the run and he’s going to play you in the right space every time.
“But of course, you can have a little discussion to make him know how I prefer the balls and how I’m feeling the best to have the ball.
“But at a certain point, there is only one way, even if it’s not the one you like, you have to do the run and he’s going to put the ball in a good position.”
Mbeumo’s arrival follows the signings of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha and left-back Diego Leon from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno.
United boss Ruben Amorim also heaped praise on Fernandes after the midfielder scored twice in a 2-1 pre-season win over fellow English Premier League club West Ham United in New Jersey last weekend.
Asked about Fernandes’ importance, Amorim told reporters after the win: “It was so clear last season, you can see it with the goals and assists. But it’s not just that.
“I think now he has more players, I feel, to help him to lead the group, and that is a good thing. He is our leader and really important, not just on the field but off the field. He leads by example.”
Meanwhile, United have also recently been linked with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins – RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is another reported target – and Mbeumo described his former Brentford teammate as the “complete striker”, adding “he can do a lot of things”.
United face Bournemouth in a friendly in Chicago on July 30 as they ramp up preparations for their Premier League opener against Arsenal on Aug 17.
AFP, REUTERS
