Ornstein: Man United set sights on Brentford forward in major summer move | OneFootball

Bryan Mbeumo Eyes Manchester United Move as Brentford Prepare for Summer Talks

Manchester United have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Bryan Mbeumo, according to David Ornstein in the Athletic, with the Brentford forward understood to favour a move to Old Trafford should an agreement be reached between the clubs.

The 25-year-old, who has just a year remaining on his current deal at the Gtech Community Stadium — albeit with Brentford holding an option to extend by a further 12 months — is keen to take the next step in his career after a breakout 2024/25 campaign.

United Target Mbeumo as Summer Reinforcements Begin

United are set to open formal talks with Brentford in the coming weeks. Mbeumo’s impressive return of 20 goals and eight assists last season has caught the attention of several Premier League heavyweights, including Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, but the player is believed to be prioritising a move to Erik ten Hag’s side.

With United exploring attacking reinforcements, Mbeumo’s ability to operate both wide and centrally adds significant appeal.

Brentford Open to Sale – at the Right Price

Brentford boss Thomas Frank recently admitted the club would consider letting Mbeumo leave this summer, but only if a “very expensive” offer was tabled.

Brentford, known for their savvy recruitment model, are expected to command a significant fee — particularly after Mbeumo’s most prolific season to date.

A Steady Rise to Stardom

Since arriving from French side Troyes in 2019 for a then-club record £5.4 million, Mbeumo’s rise has been methodical. He played a key role in Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs and seamlessly adapted to the top flight.

While often overshadowed by teammates such as Ivan Toney, Mbeumo has been a consistent presence, scoring eight, nine and nine goals in Brentford’s first three top-flight campaigns. His explosive 2024/25 season has seen him step out of the shadows.

From Championship Prospect to Premier League Star

Former Brentford captain Pontus Jansson recalled a conversation with then co-director of football Rasmus Ankersen, who tipped Mbeumo to become “world-class” shortly after his signing.

That prediction appears to have been validated. Now capped 18 times for Cameroon with four international goals, Mbeumo is widely considered one of the Premier League’s most underrated yet dynamic forwards.

Bryan Mbeumo’s statistical radar chart over the past 365 days paints the picture of a multi-dimensional forward whose impact goes far beyond traditional goal contributions. Measured against attacking midfielders and wingers, the Cameroonian international stands out not only for his productivity in the final third but also for his surprising defensive industry.

From an attacking standpoint, Mbeumo ranks in the 83rd percentile for non-penalty goals, underlining his clinical edge — particularly impressive in a side like Brentford, where chances are often hard-earned. His xG + xAG (expected goals plus expected assisted goals) sits in the 63rd percentile, indicating that his output is sustainable and not purely a product of overperformance. He also features solidly in shot-creating actions (57th percentile), reinforcing his role as a consistent threat around the box.

While not among the elite creators in terms of passing volume — just 9th percentile for passes attempted — he ranks in the 50th percentile for progressive passes and 55th for progressive carries, demonstrating a useful ability to progress the ball when required. Mbeumo’s strength lies more in receiving progressive passes (73rd percentile) and making intelligent off-ball runs, rather than being the primary playmaker.

Defensively, Mbeumo is exceptional for a forward. He sits in the 94th percentile for clearances, 98th for percentage of dribblers tackled, and 45th for tackles and interceptions — numbers that reflect his pressing ethic and tactical discipline. Brentford’s system demands forwards to be defensively responsible, and Mbeumo delivers in that regard.

His low pass completion rate (45th percentile) and below-average success in take-ons (36th percentile) may raise eyebrows, but they hint more at the high-risk nature of his play rather than inefficiency. In a possession-heavy side, those metrics may improve.

In sum, this profile confirms why Mbeumo is now on the radar of clubs like Manchester United. He blends goalscoring threat, pressing intensity, and positional intelligence — a rare and valuable combination in the modern Premier League.