Bryan Mbeumo in action for Brentford against Manchester United.
Progress has been slow in Manchester United's pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo.
If anyone thought Manchester United reaching an agreement to sign Matheus Cunha on the opening day of the transfer window was a sign of things to come, they have been forced to think again.
After signing on June 1, United's interest in Brentford star emerged just over 24 hours later.
It was an early indicator of just how fast the Reds wanted to move at the start of the window and it immediately improved morale among the club's supporters after a forgettable 2024/25 campaign.
But just over a month since they lodged their opening bid for the Brentford attacker, United are yet to reach an agreement with the Londoners for the Cameroon international, who has made it clear that he wants to move to Old Trafford this summer.
After seeing an opening offer worth £55million turned down at the start of June, United lodged an improved offer in excess of £60m a few weeks later, .
However, almost a fortnight has passed since then and United are yet to reach a full agreement with Brentford, despite maintaining a degree of confidence that the deal will be done.
United wanted to have Mbeumo signed and in position for the start of their pre-season training preparations. Instead, Diego Leon and Cunha were the only new arrivals present at Carrington on Monday.
United will head to the US for their pre-season tour later this month and head coach will be hoping to have the bulk of his transfer business done by the time he and his players fly across the Atlantic. In reality that feels unlikely.
Ruben Amorim will be hungry for more additions. (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images.)
United have prioritised strengthening their attack this summer and news of their interest in Mbeumo was almost immediately applauded. He scored 20 Premier League goals last season and would be an excellent addition.
Mbeumo is expected to occupy the right-sided No.10 role in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system after making a habit of drifting inside off the right flank during his time at Brentford. It is believed Cunha has been drafted in to operate in the left-sided No.10 role.
Although it is currently impossible to predict just how United might line up for their season opener against Arsenal next month, Amorim is not short on options in the No.10 positions. Cunha's arrival is expected to see drop into the centre of midfield, leaving Mason Mount, Amad and potentially Mbeumo squabbling over the right-sided No.10 berth.
has proven he is equally effective as a right wing-back or a right-sided No.10 in Amorim's system, but Mount is restricted to one role in the head coach's preferred system. Fortunately for the former Chelsea man, he is held in very high regard by the Portuguese boss.
Amorim has waxed lyrical about Mount throughout his United tenure. He shared his admiration for him before even taking charge of United for the first time last November.
If Mount can put his injury struggles behind him, Amorim will have plans to make full use of him this coming season. However, if Mbeumo eventually seals a move to Old Trafford, regular starts may become difficult for the England international to attain.
Ruben Amorim (left) is a huge fan of Mason Mount. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
But with the opening game of United's pre-season campaign now a little over a week away and the club's pursuit of Mbeumo lacking any sort of pace, Mount could find himself in pole position to start against Leeds United in Sweden and attempt to nail down a starting berth ahead of the US tour.
After being consistently lauded by Amorim and bagging a start in the Europa League final in May, Mount will fancy his chances of becoming a key player in his third term at Old Trafford after his first two were ravaged by injuries.
The longer United's pursuit of Mbeumo takes, the stronger Mount's chances of becoming a starter in Amorim's first-choice XI will become.