Bryan Mbeumo reveals why he chose Man Utd over Spurs and Newcastle | OneFootball

Manchester United’s £71m signing Bryan Mbeumo has opened up about his decision to join the club, revealing he was always confident the transfer from Brentford would happen despite a drawn-out process that spanned 44 days.

Speaking to The Telegraph while on Manchester United’s pre-season tour in Chicago, Mbeumo said he remained steadfast in his desire to join United, even as Brentford reportedly tried to steer him toward moves to Tottenham Hotspur or Newcastle United.

“No, I never feared it would not happen,” Mbeumo said. “I always trust the people around me and I was convinced that it was going to happen. The transfer windows can be long, they can be short. So you have to be patient, and just try to keep thinking positively about things. I was obviously on my holidays, so I just wanted to think about resting mentally and physically and if it was going to happen, it was going to happen.”

Mbeumo confirmed he spoke with other clubs during the process. Both Spurs and Newcastle were strongly linked, while Arsenal were also rumoured to be interested. But ultimately, he said, Manchester United’s vision won him over.

“Of course I spoke to some other managers because I wanted to hear their projects but the Manchester United one was very good for me,” he said. “I think I’m someone who likes a challenge. There is a very good project in Manchester and I wanted to be part of it. Manchester is a big club. I think it’s a great opportunity.”

A key figure in persuading Mbeumo to make the move was United’s manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag last November and is currently attempting to overhaul a side that endured its worst league campaign in over 50 years.

“He said, ‘We are people who like winning and we want to be the best team’,” Mbeumo explained. “And of course that’s what we will try to do. It was a very friendly conversation and a constructive one. He explained his project to me, what he wanted to do and I really clicked on that.”

The 25-year-old also credited his Cameroon teammate André Onana, United’s goalkeeper, for nudging him in the direction of Old Trafford. “I spoke to him and, yeah, he wanted me to come,” said Mbeumo. “It’s always good to have someone like him around.”

Amorim’s plans to implement a 3-4-2-1 formation may suit Mbeumo well, as the forward is familiar with a variety of systems and roles. While often deployed on the right of an attacking three for Brentford, he’s also played as a No 10, a striker and even as a wing-back.

“Of course it will help me because I’ve played in many formations before,” he said. “Obviously I’ve played as a winger mainly at Brentford but I don’t have one specific position where I feel I can do the best. With Brentford I used to also play as a 10 in the pocket or even as a No 9. I can play all those positions.

“I think now, in football, you have to be adaptable and be able to play in a few other positions than what you’d say is your best. But I think it’s really good to gain experience. Whatever position the gaffer wants to put me in, I will play there. My first aim is to make sure I’m ready for the start of the season so I’ll keep working hard.”

Mbeumo is currently working on his fitness, having returned to training a week later than his new team-mates. United supporters may have to wait until Sunday’s friendly against Everton in Atlanta to see him in action. He has been doing additional sprint and ball work during the tour.

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“I always want to be better than I was yesterday,” he said. “I’m very demanding on myself and I always try to do the best. I don’t like to put limits on myself as well.”

Off the pitch, Mbeumo is a quiet character, describing himself as someone who finds calm in activities like playing the piano and chess—both self-taught. He revealed that Brentford even purchased a piano for their training ground’s games room primarily for him.

“I don’t really like to play in front of people,” he admitted. “It’s funny, but it’s so different [playing football in front of tens of thousands]. Even if I play in front of a couple of friends at home, I’m not exactly shaking but it’s ‘Oh guys, this is kind of hard for me’.”

Despite that, Mbeumo is excited about playing regularly in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford. “This is part of it as well because you want to play on the greatest stages in the world and Old Trafford is one of them,” he said. “So being able to play here every two weeks is just big.”

Chess is another passion—he plays regularly on chess.com under a nickname and says he’s rated around 800. “Even if it’s not physical, there is a lot of thought,” he said. “When you play football you have to think. Playing chess you can see some moves ahead because it is a strategy game. In football, you have your strategy as well so you can link them together.”

Mbeumo may soon link up again with former Brentford teammate Ollie Watkins, with United currently weighing a move for either the Aston Villa striker or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Whoever ends up leading the line for United, Mbeumo appears confident he will thrive. “I like creativity and stuff,” he said. “Obviously, you’re doing football most of the time – every day – so sometimes you don’t really have time to develop other skills.”

Now, the focus returns to football—and to fulfilling the promise that made United fight so hard to bring him to Old Trafford.

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