Childhood fan Bryan Mbeumo joins Manchester United rebuild
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Bryan Mbeumo scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for Brentford.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Bryan Mbeumo joined Manchester United from Brentford until 2030, with an option for another year, for an initial fee of £65 million.
- Mbeumo said joining United was a dream, expressing his determination to win trophies and improve under coach Ruben Amorim.
- Jason Wilcox highlighted Mbeumo's signing as a key target ahead of the pre-season US tour, aiming for an exciting season.
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LONDON – Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo said he “grew up wearing” the Manchester United shirt after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, with an option for a further year.
Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million (S$112 million), having scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for the Bees.
Former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, now in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, was also hoping to secure the France-born attacker’s services before United’s improved offer sealed the move.
United’s third bid, worth an initial £65 million with £6 million in add-ons, was accepted last week.
“As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams,” Mbeumo said in a United statement on July 21.
“The team whose shirt I wore growing up.
“This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans. We are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies,” he added.
United manager Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season’s catastrophic display.
They lost to Spurs in the Europa League final and a 15th-placed finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74.
Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford.
United struggled up front last season, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as Amorim’s main strikers, while Marcus Rashford, who has not played for the Red Devils since December, is expected to complete a loan move to Barcelona on July 23.
The Guardian reported that the 27-year-old forward underwent a medical in Catalonia on July 21. The La Liga champions have agreed to cover his wages this coming season, with an option to make the move permanent next summer.
Mbeumo will boost the Red Devils’ firepower, along with Cunha.
“My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday,” Mbeumo said.
“I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.”
Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019.
“There is always a right time for a player to move on and for Bryan, that time is now,” said Brentford director of football Phil Giles.
“He has the opportunity to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world and we are very happy for him.”
Mbeumo helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-placed finish in 2024-25.
“We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour,” the Red Devils’ director of football Jason Wilcox said.
“The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new teammates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead.”
United start their pre-season tour of the United States on July 26 with a friendly against West Ham United, before their opening game of the new Premier League season against Arsenal on Aug 17. AFP
