Bryan Mbeumo - 'Man United's version of Salah'?

Bryan Mbeumo could be the breath of fresh air to help Man United revive after a disastrous season.

Manchester United are at a crossroads, not just tactically but also in terms of identity. After a turbulent season that saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and fail miserably in the Europa League, the Red Devils are desperately searching for light at the end of the tunnel.

Bryan Mbeumo's Value

And in that crisis, the name Bryan Mbeumo suddenly emerged like a breath of fresh air - not because of his star halo, but because of his diligence, flexibility and a very rare quality in modern football: tactical discipline that does not stifle creativity.

Mbeumo, 25, scored 20 goals in 2024/25 for Brentford - not shocking but impressive enough. But it's not the numbers that really make him valuable.

In an era where stars dropping back to defend has become a trend – especially after PSG’s success in the Champions League – Mbeumo is one of the few who did it before it became a “fashion”. Not because he was told to, but simply because it was his fighting instinct.

From the right flank, the Cameroonian operates like Liverpool’s Salah – a gifted left foot, the ability to penetrate the penalty area from the flank, and above all, split-second decision-making. But unlike Salah – who has always been optimised by Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot’s system – Mbeumo risks being tactically “bankrupt” if Ruben Amorim, the Man United manager, doesn’t play him in the right position.

Mbeumo, 25, scored 20 goals in the 2024/25 season for Brentford.

Amorim is said to admire Mbeumo's versatility. But modern football has shown that the more versatile a player is, the more he needs to be fixed. Mbeumo is not a striker. Nor is he an inverted winger on the left. He is the type of player who, if not placed on the right wing, loses 50% of his technical value and 100% of his tactical quality.

United's pursuit of Mbeumo is, in some ways, a belated tribute to Brentford's development model - a club unafraid of "mathematical risk taking", where Mbeumo was convinced to join by analysing his 28 Ligue 2 games. It's not empty promises, it's not Premier League glory, it's simply a well-founded tactical belief.

From there, Brentford not only helped him develop his footballing skills, but also built him into an icon of professional thinking. From his ability to hold the ball, to his positioning, to his ability to deliver a pass through the lines when pressed - Mbeumo was the result of a personalised coaching process down to the last detail. They even put a piano in the training ground because they knew he could play music - a small detail, but one that speaks to how Brentford respect people, not just players.

What can Bryan Mbeumo do if he comes to MU?

So the big question is: is Mbeumo really suited to the volatile environment at Old Trafford? From a Brentford where everything is orderly and logical, to a United where tactics change with the mood and power is divided behind the scenes - it's not just a step up in terms of reputation, it could be a step down in terms of career.

Is Mbeumo really suited to the turbulent environment at Old Trafford?

It is ironic that Manchester United – a club that once boasted the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney – now look to Brentford for inspiration. But in the modern world of data and tactics, no one can afford to be complacent about history. Evolution belongs to those who adapt.

Bryan Mbeumo is not a miracle worker who can transform Manchester United overnight. But he could be a crucial catalyst – if, and only if, Ruben Amorim knows what he has. Otherwise, Mbeumo will be just another expensive commodity lost to the chaos at Old Trafford.

Source: https://znews.vn/bryan-mbeumo-salah-phien-ban-man-united-post1558162.html