Bryan Mbeumo: 10 Things You Don't Know About The New Manchester United Player

Manchester United fans are buzzing with excitement following the recent acquisition of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

The Cameroon international, who arrived at Old Trafford in a deal reportedly worth up to £70 million ($94m), is Manchester United's second major signing of the summer.

Bryan Mbeumo's arrival marks a significant moment in his career, and while fans are familiar with his impressive goal-scoring record in the Premier League, there is a lot more to the 25-year-old winger than meets the eye.

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In this article, Pulse Sports Kenya highlights the 10 things you might not know about Manchester United's newest star.

For many aspiring footballers, playing for a club like Manchester United remains a distant dream, and for Bryan Mbeumo, it was a dream he manifested from a very young age.

In his first interview as a Manchester United player, Bryan Mbeumo admitted that he was a Red Devils fan from way back.

"My first top was a Manchester United top with Ronaldo behind," Bryan Mbeumo said.

His confession speaks to a deep-seated aspiration to play at the highest level for a club he genuinely admired.

The opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, was a significant factor in his decision to join, despite interest from other top clubs.

While his footballing journey has taken him to the bright lights of the Premier League, Bryan Mbeumo's roots lie in Avallon, a small commune in the Yonne department of France.

He was born on August 7, 1999, to Cameroonian parents, and he often describes Avallon as a ‘tight-knit community where everyone knew each other.’

This upbringing, far from the glamour of professional football academies, is most likely to have instilled in him a sense of humility and a strong work ethic that has defined his career.

Bryan Mbeumo is a product of the esteemed Troyes AC academy in France, joining at the age of 14. He quickly progressed through their youth ranks, even scoring twice in the Coupe Gambardella final in 2018, a prestigious national youth cup.

However, instead of making a direct leap to a top-tier French club, Bryan Mbeumo opted for a move to England's Championship, joining Brentford in 2019 for a then-club record fee of £5.8 million.

Bryan Mbeumo was instrumental in Brentford's promotion to the Premier League in 2021, showcasing his talent and adaptability in a highly competitive league.

While predominantly known as a right-winger, Bryan Mbeumo's tactical versatility is a significant asset that Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly leverage at Manchester United.

Throughout his time at Brentford, he demonstrated his ability to play as a second striker and even as a centre-forward.

In some pre-season friendlies, Bryan Mbeumo was also deployed as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation, highlighting his defensive commitment and awareness. This adaptability means he can fill various roles within Manchester United's attacking setup.

Manchester United's struggles with goal-scoring last season were well-documented, making Bryan Mbeumo's arrival even more crucial.

Since joining Brentford from Troyes in 2019, Bryan Mbeumo has scored 70 goals and provided 51 assists in 242 appearances.

Last season, he recorded career-best numbers in the Premier League, netting 20 goals and delivering seven assists.

Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Bryan Mbeumo is an underrated creator. He amassed 28 assists across his four Premier League seasons at Brentford, averaging seven per campaign.

His numbers could have been even higher with more clinical teammates. Mbeumo ranked first in the Premier League for Expected Assists in the 2024-25 and fourth for big chances created.

His ability to deliver dangerous crosses and insightful passes into the box will be vital for United's attack, providing service for his new teammates like Matheus Cunha and potentially a new centre-forward.

Despite being born and raised in France and representing France at youth levels, Bryan Mbeumo made the significant decision to represent Cameroon internationally.

This choice reflects his strong connection to his Cameroonian heritage, instilled by his parents. He made his full international debut for the Indomitable Lions in 2022 and was part of their squad for the FIFA World Cup later that year, playing in three matches.

While much of Bryan Mbeumo's private life, including details about a romantic partner, remains out of the public eye, his professional relationships have been very much in the spotlight.

One particularly noteworthy connection is his strong bond with former Brentford teammate Yoane Wissa. The pair formed a formidable attacking duo for the Bees, with Yoane Wissa even affectionately referring to Mbeumo as ‘boss.’

Their chemistry extended beyond the pitch, as Bryan Mbeumo shared in an interview with BBC Sport Africa.

“In different things in life outside of football, he has helped me a lot. I used to live really close to him, just one minute away. Sometimes I was joining him at his, having dinners,” he said.

Bryan Mbeumo's playing style is defined by his dominant left foot, particularly when operating from the right flank. He frequently cuts inside to shoot or pass, a trademark move that has brought him considerable success.

While he has shown improvement in using his right foot, his preferred patterns of play involve isolating defenders and then driving into the box, often aiming for the far post with his left-footed shots.

Manchester United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, highlighted Bryan Mbeumo's ‘belief in our project and determination to join the club’ as a key factor in his signing.

This belief is likely rooted in Bryan Mbeumo's tactical suitability for Ruben Amorim's preferred style of play. Ruben Amorim aims to create ‘fast artificial transitions,’ luring opponents into a press before breaking quickly and directly into space.

Bryan Mbeumo's direct, risk-taking running, superb ball-carrying down the right, and high volume of attacking-third touches perfectly align with this vision.

Alongside Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo is expected to make United a considerably more vertical and dynamic attacking force. The stage is set for him to not just perform, but to thrive and write his own legacy in the Theatre of Dreams.