Change of strategy? Man United also digs deep into their pockets for Mbeumo

Manchester United had to be patient for a while, but on Monday evening the Red Devils unveiled their next high-profile signing: Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

The next signing for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo. IMAGO/Sports Press Photo

At the beginning of June, Manchester United unveiled their first summer signing, Matheus Cunha, for almost €75 million . Last season's 15th-place finish is clearly trying not to make such a disappointing season a habit – and is adjusting its transfer strategy accordingly. Bryan Mbeumo is the next expensive signing to arrive at Old Trafford. He signed a contract until 2030, with an option to extend it to 2031.

"As soon as I heard there was a chance to join Manchester United, the club of my dreams and whose jersey I wore as a child, I wanted to take the opportunity," the 25-year-old attacker stated on United's website. Jason Wilcox, Manchester's director of football, also expressed his delight at the transfer: "He has achieved outstanding goals and assists in the Premier League. His consistency has made him one of the most productive players in England over the past three years."

For the first time since 2019: Two players from the competition

In the course of signing Mbeumo, who was officially presented on Monday evening and is expected to cost the Red Devils the equivalent of around 75 million euros plus seven million in bonuses, United officials have created a special feature that has not been seen since the summer of 2019: For the first time in six years, at least two players from league rivals are moving permanently to the red part of Manchester within one season.

Strengthening the squad with Premier League players has become a rarity at Man United in recent times. After Harry Maguire (from Leicester) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (from Crystal Palace) were bought for big money in the summer of 2019, the Red Devils only signed Christian Eriksen (2022/23, Brentford) – albeit on a free transfer – and Mason Mount (2023/24, Chelsea) from fellow Premier League sides in the following years.

Another bitter loss for the Bees

United appears to have undergone a rethink, which, of course, is also associated with further high transfer spending. With 28 goal involvements (20 goals, 8 assists) in 38 league games, Mbeumo has recently impressively demonstrated his ability to deliver at the highest level. Man United only managed 44 goals in 2024/25, with no player scoring in double figures.

Brentford, meanwhile, loses head coach Thomas Frank, another key player from last season, which the Bees finished in 10th place. Along with his attacking partner Yoane Wissa (19 goals, 5 assists), who is himself being talked about at Nottingham, Newcastle, and Tottenham, Mbeumo played a key role under the Danish coach, who will soon take over as Tottenham coach , and who would likely have also liked to lure the 25-year-old Cameroonian to Spurs. But now Mbeumo is a player at his childhood dream club.