Man United’s Bryan Mbeumo goes back to Brentford as Red Devils seek back-to-back wins

LONDON – Bryan Mbeumo will have mixed emotions if Brentford’s former favourite scores on his first return to the Community Stadium with Manchester United in the English Premier League on Sept 27.

There is unlikely to be much cheering from the home crowd if he does, but no real hard feelings either.

The forward, who forged a fertile partnership with also-departed Yoane Wissa, joined United in July for £65 million (S$112 million) and has already opened his league account.

Unlike Wissa, who joined Newcastle United after a protracted stand-off with Brentford and openly campaigning for a move, Mbeumo departed west London with his head held high and feeling the love.

He scored 70 goals in 242 appearances over six years for Brentford and produced a farewell thank-you video for the fans when he left.

“It's time to take off. Thank you Brentford for everything, forever. I will always love you and miss you all,” he said then, a feeling the crowd are likely to reciprocate when he steps back out onto the pitch.

There will be no gifts in the early kick-off, however, with Brentford hovering just above the relegation places in 17th and Manchester United languishing in 11th spot after a far-from-convincing start to the campaign.

United beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford last weekend, their second win of the season, but have not won back-to-back league games since May 2024 and are yet to win away this campaign.

Brentford have also won two of their last three home encounters with United, although they are now under the new management of Keith Andrews following Thomas Frank’s move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Elsewhere, Spurs are at home to bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers in Sept 27’s late game, while Manchester City host Burnley and Chelsea welcome Brighton & Hove Albion.

Chelsea have goalkeeper Robert Sanchez suspended for a game that should see plenty of goals.

Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro all joined Chelsea from Brighton, with all three outfield players expected to feature against their former side.

Second-placed Arsenal, already five points behind Liverpool, travel to Newcastle United in Sept 28’s late game with Everton hosting West Ham United on Sept 29.

Desperate to end their agonising wait for a first English title since 2004, Arsenal cannot afford another costly slip-up when they head to St James’ Park, which has not been a happy hunting ground recently.

They have been beaten on their past three visits, including a League Cup semi-final second-leg defeat last season after a Premier League loss earlier in the campaign.

The Gunners, Premier League runners-up for the past three seasons, are trailing in Liverpool’s wake after losing to the champions at Anfield and dropping two points against title rivals City.

Mikel Arteta’s men are developing an unwanted reputation for crumbling when the pressure mounts and the trip north will provide another test of their mettle. REUTERS, AFP