It has been revealed why Manchester United’s summer signing Bryan Mbeumo has suffered a dip in form during the second half of the season.
Bryan Mbeumo has had an electric start in a Manchester United shirt, topping the club’s leaderboard for goals scored this season with nine in the Premier League.
However, the past few games have seen the Cameroonian’s performances lower in standard as the race for Champions League football tightens. Mbeumo has not found the back of the net for United in over a month, despite starting every game for United under new head coach Michael Carrick
The 26-year-old has yet to replicate the form he showed under Thomas Frank at Brentford, which earned him his big-money move to Old Trafford in the summer, alongside fellow forwards Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško, both of whom have grown in confidence as time has gone on at the club.
While United continue their push for third place in the Premier League, a possible reason for Mbeumo’s dip in form has been highlighted.
Mbeumo’s fitness concerns revealed
United correspondent for The Sun, Samuel Luckhurst, has revealed the reason behind Mbeumo’s dip in form, reporting that his former club, Brentford have suggested a tight schedule would cause the Cameroon international some struggle.
Luckhurst revealed: “The word from Mbeumo’s old club Brentford is he could find it a challenge to play two or three games per week.”
United’s games against Crystal Palace and Newcastle were a clear example of this, with the fixtures being only three days apart, as the winger struggled to make a clear impact for United.
United spent the majority of Mbeumo’s first few weeks at the club prioritising fitness, as European competition would be a new factor in the winger’s game and would be much more demanding on the squad.
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Balancing fixtures next season
The immediate turnaround of games is a clear callout to a potential issue next season, with United looking very likely to secure a Champions League finish.
The increase in the volume of games will be severely draining to the squad, particularly if they stick with Carrick heading into the 2026/27 season. The former Middlesbrough manager has shown his pressing style since his reintroduction to the club, forcing turnovers and allowing United to play fast football.
The physical demands of this in multiple competitions next season would require sufficient squad depth, and with Mbeumo being highlighted for his versatility across the entire front line, recruitment would take the edge off, allowing for better recovery.
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However, this may be unrealistic for the club, as attention has clearly been directed towards the midfield department, with Casemiro’s departure already announced and Manuel Ugarte seeming more likely to leave.
For now, United’s attention remains on Aston Villa, who look to spoil the Champions League hopes at Old Trafford on Sunday. With United rested for 11 days, expectations for their performance are high.
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