Should Bryan Mbeumo sign for Manchester United this summer, there is an interesting dynamic that will play out with the current star forward, Amad.
Manchester United are closing in on their second signing of the summer, having already confirmed the capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month.
The 26-year-old Brazil international is expected to complete his £62.5 million switch after his international commitments, signing a five-year contract with the Reds.
Rúben Amorim remains intent on bolstering his attack, with United increasingly confident of securing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, following strong indications from the player that he wants the move.
Although Brentford rejected a bid worth up to £55 million at the beginning of the window, negotiations are still ongoing, and United are hopeful of reaching an agreement soon.
Amad explains thoughts on playing at wing-back
Amad’s road to United stardom has not been smooth, with the player having loans at Rangers and Sunderland while being benched by Erik ten Hag. However, under Amorim, he has thrived.
Amad has operated as a wing-back and as part of the front three, both on the right flank. With Mbeumo looking likely to join, there has been debate about which player will play in the attack and who will play at wing-back.
Speaking in December, Amad explained to club media that he has no quarms playing in either position, and that he simply wants to start in whichever position Amorim would rather he play.
“You can’t be focused only in one position,” Amad said. “Sometimes you can play as a defender, sometimes you can play as a striker.
“Wherever the manager puts me, I’m ready to fight for the team. I have no problem to play just as the right winger or No. 10, I can play everywhere. Like I said to the manager, if you need me as a keeper, I’m ready to do my best!”
Mbeumo has explained that competition will not be an issue
Mbeumo has made a name for himself at Brentford since the departure of Ivan Toney, taking the goalscoring reins in West London and notching 20 goals across the Premier League campaign.
The Cameroon international combined brilliantly with Yoane Wissa under Thomas Frank’s leadership, but the pair used to compete for positions when Wissa initially arrived.
Speaking last month, Mbeumo noted that when the pair were battling it out for places, he appreciated Wissa’s attitude and that he was focused on the team.
“To be honest, as he said, he never really showed that he was pissed, you know, or he was angry,” Mbeumo explained.
“That’s why I told him, because sometimes on interviews they ask us what things did I help him to do and what things did he help me to do.
“I always say this is a mental part, because obviously when he mentioned the part when he didn’t play as much as now, he was always focused, always with a smile, trying to encourage the teammates every time.
“I think this is something big, because I think it’s important that a teammate is not dropping his head, showing he’s angry, because for the group, I don’t think it’s good. It’s something I really appreciate about him.”
Amad is well known to be a player who does not carry a damaging ego. While he is very confident in his own abilities, he keeps himself grounded and understands that he is just one of 11 players on the pitch – a mentality that Mbeumo has alluded to above.
Aside from his goalscoring exploits, Mbeumo also registered seven assists in the Premier League last season, creating 70 chances with an xA of 9.3 (the highest in the competition), also attempting more crosses than any other player. Mbeumo is not just a goalscorer, but a team player.
Amorim is looking to sign players who are willing to buy into his long-term project at Old Trafford, rather than for their own gain. With Amad already at the club, he and Mbeumo could form a deadly attacking duo on the right flank, with Amad at wing-back and Mbeumo further forward.
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