Manchester United have made another big move in their transfer history, this time signing Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for a fee believed to be in the region of £70-71 million. While there is optimism surrounding this transfer, there is also a storm of criticism. The question arises – is this the right decision at the right time, or a repeat of past failures?
Past failed investments vs. Mbeumo
The huge amount of money United have spent on big-name forwards over the past few seasons has not paid off. Jadon Sancho, Anthony, Hoylund—all have failed to live up to the club’s expectations. Sancho has scored just 12 goals in two seasons, Anthony has disappeared after scoring three goals; and Hoylund, who was successful in Serie A, has remained a shadow in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo’s transfer to Manchester United has brought new hope. But the question remains – will this hope be ruined by overvaluation again?
Are Mbeumo’s statistics the only proof?
Mbeumo joined Brentford in 2019 and has since established himself in the Premier League. He scored 20 goals and provided seven assists in the 2024-25 season, making him one of the league’s top scorers. This performance has sparked interest from United.
However, the hopeful side is that Mbeumo has already gained experience playing in the Premier League, so there is less risk of adapting like players from other European leagues.
Economic aspects of the contract
Even though he only had one year left on his current deal, United were willing to pay £70+ million to sign him. Many call it the ‘United tax’ – meaning United are constantly being overcharged, which is evidence of a lack of efficient transfer policy.
A club like City would have done a bigger deal for less in the same situation. From a financial perspective, this may not be a good commercial decision. But from a footballing perspective, it is a very useful deal – especially considering United’s negative goal difference in the 2023-24 season.
A new ray of hope in the Ruben Amorim era?
This is United’s second major signing of the summer – following the arrival of Cunha from Wolves – and under Ruben Amorim, United are looking to build a balanced attacking team, with Mbeumo likely to play on the right wing.
Experts say Mbeumo would be most effective on the wing rather than as a forward. His ball control, finishing and line-breaking ability could bring new momentum to United’s attack.
Pressure, expectations and reality
The pressure is on this time because of past failures. If Mbeumo and Cunha fail to perform well quickly, United’s new technical director Barrada and transfer head Jason Wilcox will face direct criticism.
But the big positive is that they have signed players who are already used to playing in England, and a hard-working, consistent and dedicated player like Mbeumo could play a key role in United’s future.
What are the next plans?
After Mbeumo, United are eyeing Victor Osimhen. But the important thing right now is to get the most out of the current squad. United’s main challenge in the new season will be to fill the goalscoring gap, which will depend on Mbeumo and Cunha.
Conclusion
Brian Mbeumo’s move to Manchester United is undoubtedly a bold move for United. Although the transfer fee is controversial, Mbeumo’s skills and proven performance in the Premier League make the deal realistic and logical. It remains to be seen whether this bold decision can lead United to a new path of success, or whether it will become yet another bad transfer decision.