Can Bryan Mbeumo Instil Fresh Impetus In Man Utd’s Attack Under Amorim?
- Think Football Ideas
- 56 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal last season weren’t a blip, they were a flashing red warning sign. A measly 44 league goals, their lowest ever in the Premier League era, summed up a campaign starved of cutting edge. So, it’s no surprise that Ruben Amorim is keen on bolstering his attack, not just with names, but with players proven to have bite in England.
Cue Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international has gone from Brentford’s bargain buy to a £60m United target. After an initial bid was swatted away in June, United doubled down with a new offer that’s edging closer to Brentford’s demands. Amorim clearly sees more than a flash-in-the-pan finisher.
Mbeumo’s Goal Spree - Hot Streak or Sign of Things to Come?
Twenty league goals last season made Mbeumo the Premier League’s fourth-highest scorer, behind only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Alexander Isak. But here’s the twist: his expected goals (xG) were just 12.3, meaning he outperformed it by a whopping 7.7
Historically, that kind of clinical finishing is tough to repeat. According to the BBC, in the past five seasons, only Son Heung-min has managed to outperform his expected goals by five or more on more than one occasion.
But this move isn’t all about numbers. Mbeumo’s rise from a £5.8m Brentford punt to a £60m target speaks to a player driven by more than raw talent. His meticulous approach to training, preparation, and personal standards has helped fuel his sharp upward curve, traits United will hope translate on a bigger stage.
How Does Mbeumo Fit Amorim’s United Vision?
Amorim wants more than goals. He needs presence. Mbeumo’s ability to carry the ball, hold off defenders, and operate both wide and central makes him the sort of dynamic attacker United lacked last term. And while Matheus Cunha, United’s £62.5m signing from Wolves, brings flair from the left, Mbeumo’s right-sided drive could unlock a new dimension.
He’s more than a scorer. His seven assists last season don’t tell the full story. He led the Premier League with 9.3 expected assists, topping Salah. Imagine what he could do with runners who actually finish.
Could Mbeumo Ignite Man United’s Comeback?
United’s issues run deeper than personnel, but Mbeumo’s arrival, coupled with Cunha’s, signals a clear shift in approach, as Amorim wants Premier League-ready firepower. And this isn’t scattergun recruitment of recent years, it’s a pivot towards players who can hit the ground running, with no settling-in period.
Amorim admitted after last season that reshaping United will take time, but Mbeumo could be a catalyst. Power, versatility, and a willingness to graft, he ticks a lot of boxes. Yet, with the pressure dialled up, this will be the ultimate test of whether he’s a big fish beyond Brentford’s pond.
From Brentford Breakout to Big-Club Battleground
Mbeumo’s story isn’t done. Having stepped out from Ivan Toney’s shadow, he thrived last season, even earning a Premier League Player of the Year nod. His ambition? To be the best version of himself.
Now, Mbeumo stands on the brink of a move that could define his career and Man United’s attacking future. Amorim knows reshaping the squad will take time, but Mbeumo could be the spark they need.
Power, work rate, and adaptability, he ticks all the boxes. If he translates his Brentford form to Old Trafford, the Red Devils might finally regain some of the impetus they've been missing.