A former member of the Manchester United backroom staff has spoken about United’s interest in Brentford’s Mbuemo but also explained United’s concerns.
Manchester United have been linked with numerous forwards over the season, but one persistent transfer rumour is Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian international has had a stellar season at Brentford, where he has recorded 18 goals and six assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
Mbeumo is one of the many players that has been in contention to join United in the summer to bolster the forward areas. Playing off the right side for Brentford, Mbeumo could fill the gap left by the likely departure of Antony.
Former Manchester United assistant manager and chief scout, Mick Brown, has spoken to Football Insider about the club’s Mbeumo interest.
“I don’t think he’s been a long-term target for them, but he’s come onto their list in recent weeks,” Brown revealed. “He’s a very steady, consistent player, and he performs to a good level every week for Brentford, and he scores plenty of goals. United don’t have many players like that.”
Despite Mbeumo undoubtedly being a talented player, United are said to have concerns about the deal.
Mbuemo transfer raises Amad and fee concerns
Brown stated that “He’d come into the team on the right-hand side, but there are concerns he could block [Amad] Diallo’s progress, so they’ll have to make a decision about where Mbeumo fits in the team”.
Before his injury, Amad was a key player for Rúben Amorim, starting 13 out of the 14 Premier League games he was fit for. In that time, Amad scored five goals, including a hat-trick at Southampton, and assisted eight others. United fear that bringing in a more seasoned player in the same position may limit the minutes that are available to Amad, hindering his development.
Another issue for United, according to Brown, is that “He’d also probably cost a huge fee, which United may not be willing to reach.”
Reports from January, when United were previously interested, indicated that Mbuemo would cost approximately £50 million.
Although the club needs to recruit numerous players this summer, they’ll be doing so with a limited budget. United already look likely to sign Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha, so to bring in another big-money forward would deprive the squad of investment for another position.
Could Mbeumo and Amad work together?
Brown stated that “If they think they can have them both on the side, then they’ll go for it, but they have to be sure”. Under Amorim’s system, it could definitely be possible to play Amad and Mbeumo.
United’s system sees three centre-backs play with two wing-backs in a back five. However, Amorim has experimented with playing traditional full-backs in these positions and more attacking wide players.
Amad’s hat-trick at Southampton came from him playing in one of these attacking full-back positions, so it clearly doesn’t hinder him offensively. Since his injury, the position has been occupied by a combination of Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui and primarily, Diogo Dalot.
In attack, Amorim plays two forwards behind a central striker. These two forwards can operate as two number 10s or drift out wide. Amad has also played on the right-hand side of these three forwards, where he has also found success.
This clearly demonstrates that under Amorim’s system, there are two separate positions that Amad can play in, and that the traditionally more defensive one does not limit his attacking output.
This means that Mubemo and Amad could play in the same United side, most likely with the Brentford man at the right of the front three and Amad in the attacking full-back position.
However, the financial issue is still a major concern for United. Brown stated that “I don’t think there’s any doubt Mbeumo would be an improvement on what Man United have got, but the right-hand side isn’t one of their priorities.” Given United’s tight financials, it seems unlikely that they would spend £50 million on a player that they do not believe is currently a priority.
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