Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after scoring for Brentford away at Crystal Palace.
Bryan Mbeumo wants to join Manchester United this summer.
After scoring 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, Manchester United transfer target Bryan Mbeumo has shown himself to be one of the league's top marksmen.
Following Ivan Toney's switch to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli last summer, the onus was on Mbeumo to step up and shoulder the attacking burden at the Gtech Community Stadium last season.
After scoring nine goals in 2023/24, successfully stepped up in the way Brentford wanted him to last term, more than doubling his goal tally from the previous campaign. His return of 20 goals marked his best-ever tally in a single season during his career.
Mbeumo played predominantly on the right flank. According to data collected by Transfermarkt, 16 of his 20 goals were scored when he operated from the right. However, he did flex his muscles when deployed centrally, too, scoring four goals in six games as a centre-forward.
The Cameroonian, 25, is equally comfortable playing out wide or through the middle, meaning he will bring a versatile presence to Old Trafford if United get a deal over the line. The Reds have tabled an improved offer in excess of £60m for the former Troyes man.
United saw an opening offer for the attacker worth £55m turned down last month but their decision to increase their offer highlights their hunger to get a deal over the line. Mbeumo is equally keen to get it done.
United operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation, meaning Mbeumo is expected to be tasked with operating as the right-sided No.10. However, it is possible he could also operate as the right wing-back in preferred formation.
He could also start up front and lead United's attack. The Reds, despite already signing and attempting to wrap up a deal for Mbeumo, remain determined to sign an out-and-out No.9 this summer.
It is no secret that player sales are key to United's hopes of fulfilling all of their ambitions in this summer's window, meaning the addition of a striker may be one of the very last objectives they are able to complete. Recruitment is likely to slow once United wrap up a deal for Mbeumo until sales start to go through.
Manchester United have submitted a fresh offer for Bryan Mbeumo. (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.)
Should United's striker search be delayed, Amorim may be confident enough to ask Mbeumo to lead the line in the absence of a recognised No.9.
United have been criticised in recent years for not following the trend set by Arsenal and Liverpool in signing multi-functional forwards.
In recent years, Arsenal have signed the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz, who are all capable of playing in multiple positions across the frontline, while Liverpool have swooped for the likes of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, who are equally comfortable out wide or through the middle.
United's attacking signings in recent years have been one-dimensional. For example, Antony is restricted to playing on the right-wing.
However, Mbeumo is capable of playing from the flank or through the middle, meaning he would bring a versatile profile to the table. A multi-functional forward has been missing from United's attacking arsenal for too long.