Manchester United have finally reached an agreement with Brentford to sign forward Bryan Mbeumo in a deal worth £65million, after three attempts to secure the Cameroon international.
The 25-year-old, who has been one of Brentford’s standout performers since arriving from French side Troyes in 2019, becomes United’s latest summer addition as the club looks to reshape its attacking line.
Telecom Asia first broke the news about how frustrated Mbeumo was during talks and now have spoken to his former team mate at Troyes to find out the kind of player he is.
Ahmed Kashi, who played alongside Mbeumo in 2018 said:
Manchester United have just signed a warrior and he’s going to fight for the shirt. I know they haven’t been where they want to be but Bryan is your ultimate professional,one of those guys who lifts the standards even in training.
Kashi, who now plays for Annecy in Ligue Two says the Cameroonian is also not only a good player but also a good human being:
We were good friends and spent a season together before he left for Brentford. Even then, he had that drive.
The forward’s professionalism, Kashi believes, will be matched by a strong presence in the dressing room.
He cares so much about his teammates, even now, years after we last played together. That kind of mentality is something rare in today’s game. I’m sure they’ll love him in that dressing room.
Mbeumo made 38 appearances in the Premier League last season, scoring 20 goals and providing eight assists.
His arrival at Old Trafford will be seen as a key step in bolstering United’s frontline following the departures of Marcus Rashford and potential exit of Jadon Sancho who returned to the club after spending a season on loan at Chelsea.
United are expected to formally announce the transfer in the coming days, pending the completion of a medical.
Mbeumo fits the style that Ruben Amorim wants to implement at the club, a 3-4-3 system that sees them play two number 10s in fellow new signing Matheus Cunha or Bruno Fernandes alongside the Cameroonian.
The Reds finished a disappointing 15th in the league- and also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham so there is pressure on manager Amorim who took over from Erik Ten Hag half way through last season to start the season well and get the club back to competing for big trophies.
