Man United lacked consistency throughout the 2024/25 campaign, both collectively and individually, meaning that needs addressing ahead of next term.
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Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after scoring for Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Bryan Mbeumo would be an excellent addition for Manchester United.
(Image: Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images.)
One of the biggest problems Manchester United experienced last season was a lack of consistency.
Every time it felt as though United had taken one step forward, they immediately took two steps back. The biggest example of that was when they beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in December and then lost their next four games.
United failed to win back-to-back Premier League games at any point last season, meaning they last achieved that particular feat in May 2024. They most recently won back-to-back games across all competitions in March.
A lack of consistency was a major problem for the Reds last season, both collectively and individually. With the exception of Bruno Fernandes and Amad, they struggled to get a regular tune out of anyone.
Rasmus Hojlund, for example, scored five goals in his first fives games under Ruben Amorim, meaning it felt as though he was going to overcome his slow start to the season and eat into the 16-goal haul he recorded in his first season at Old Trafford.
But after a double helped United come from behind to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League on December 12, he then went 21 games without a goal, not getting himself on the scoresheet again until United's 3-0 win over Leicester City on March 16. He then went another six games before scoring again for the Reds.
In desperate need of consistency, both collectively and individually next season, United will be unable to rely on the Dane to provide them with the regular goal-threat they will be in need of.
And that is why their pursuit of Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo makes such perfect sense. United are keen to bring the Cameroonian to Old Trafford and have already seen a £55million offer knocked back.
United offered £45m up front and an additional £10m in add-ons. It is understood Brentford are holding out for a similar fee to the £62.5m United paid for Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after scoring for Brentford away at Wolves.
Bryan Mbeumo wants to move to Manchester United.
When analysing Mbeumo's numbers from the 2024/25 campaign, however, Brentford's stance is fully understandable. He scored 20 Premier League goals last term, only being outscored by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (29), Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak (23) and Manchester City ace Erling Haaland (22).
Consistency was key to Mbeumo's achievement of reaching 20 Premier League goals, with his longest drought in front of goal amounting to only five games on a single occasion. That barren run covered the start of November through to the start of December.
With the exception of that blip, Mbeumo never went more than three Premier League games without a goal during the campaign. Reflecting on his season's work, he admitted consistency was key to his success.
"Consistency is really important," Mbeumo said, speaking to BBC Sport Africa last month. "If you want to have big ambitions you need to perform the whole season.
"I think I am still improving every day I put a foot on the pitch. I never put limits on myself."
United's attack has been starved of a consistent goalscorer in recent seasons, meaning supporters will be hopeful, should a deal get over the line, that Mbeumo will be able to fix that particular concern.
United are not trying to sign Mbeumo to lead their attack, with the addition of a No.9 still a leading priority, but they will be hopeful the Cameroonian's reliability will give them an extra shot in the arm.