Matheus Cunha may have stolen the limelight somewhat under the Michael Carrick regime, although it's hard to argue that Bryan Mbeumo has been anything but an astute signing for Manchester United thus far.
The shining light during a mixed start to the season under Ruben Amorim, the 26-year-old has largely picked up where he left off at Brentford, after previously netting 20 Premier League goals in 2024/25.
Only nine have followed since then, although they've been key goals at that, notably netting away at Anfield, the Emirates and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as well as in the home victories over both Spurs and Manchester City in 2026.
Bryan Mbeumo goals per season (timeless)
Those latter two strikes have showcased that it has still been a positive calendar year for the Cameroonian thus far, although there is a nagging sense that he hasn't quite looked the same of late, particularly since returning from AFCON.
How Mbeumo's record compares before and after AFCON
Having got his season underway after netting a first United goal away at Grimsby Town, Mbeumo went on to score a further six goals and register one assist between August and December, representing one of the few to flourish in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system.
The wideman's statement showing most notably came in the thumping 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in October, producing two exquisite finishes in a manner that simply hadn't been seen from United forwards of the recent past.
Such a lively start unsurprisingly had supporters fearing the worst ahead of his subsequent absence due to international duty, with the Red Devils ultimately winning just one game from six in that AFCON period, including the FA Cup loss to the Seagulls.
mbeumo-,an-utd
Since returning, Mbeumo has started every game under Carrick, starting with the derby, although he is now on a run of six games without a goal, having last netted in the 2-0 home win against Tottenham.
There is the caveat that he has largely been deployed away from his favoured right-wing berth, having again started at centre-forward last time out, yet considering his almost undroppable status, Carrick and co need more from their £71m signing right now.
Mbeumo record - post-AFCON
Opposition
Man City
Arsenal
Fulham
Spurs
West Ham
Everton
Palace
Newcastle
Aston Villa
B'mouth
Total (10 games)
The obvious solution may well be to simply remove the ex-Bees star from the starting lineup, in favour of Benjamin Sesko, although the United head coach could also get creative if he is to get Mbeumo firing again.
Man Utd's new Hargreaves could help get Mbeumo firing
Considering the drop in form since Amorim departed, having scored only three goals in ten games under Carrick, perhaps Mbeumo is one of the few to have suffered from the change in system.
Bryan-Mbeumo-Man-Utd-West-Ham Related
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Manchester United are ready to spend liberally on a forward or two in the summer transfer window.
Indeed, he no longer combines with Amad to quite the same extent as the pair did in that 3-4-2-1, with the left-footed duo arguably the biggest beneficiaries of that much-maligned set-up.
The same was also true of forgotten man, Mason Mount, with the £60m Englishman having been a firm favourite of Amorim right from the off, even while repeatedly hampered by injury.
It was only seen in fits and starts, but Mount's best run in a United shirt to date arguably came in the first half of the campaign, thriving as part of a fluid front three alongside both Cunha and Mbeumo.
It was that combination which notably led the line in the win against Arne Slot's men on Merseyside, with two of the trio - alongside Bruno Fernandes - notably netting in the thumping 4-1 victory away at Molineux in early December.
More directly, Mbeumo and Mount had combined for the Englishman's first goal of the season against Sunderland, the ex-Chelsea man producing a delightful side-foot volley after the winger's inswinging cross.
There is an argument that, despite having not started a game since Boxing Day, Mount could be the man to freshen up this United attack, potentially deployed in something of a new-look right-wing role, with Mbeumo remaining through the centre.
Mount
A centre-midfielder or number ten by trade, the 27-year-old could be a short-term solution on that flank, replicating a certain Owen Hargreaves in Sir Alex Ferguson's great side of 2008.
Indeed, the now-retired Hargreaves started the Champions League final in Moscow off the right flank, certainly mirroring Mount as a quality, versatile asset who can slot in and put in a shift in a variety of different roles.
That comparison, which can also be seen in their set-piece prowess, is perhaps more apparent in the injury woes that these two England internationals have endured, however, with Hargreaves actually making only 39 appearances at Old Trafford, scoring twice.
Now nearing the end of his third disrupted season, Mount's own long-term future is up for debate, with just seven goals in 67 club appearances, but in here and now, he could well provide a much-needed injection into Carrick's attacking ranks.
Owen-Hargreaves-signs-manchester-united
Owen Hargreaves signs for Manchester United.
Hopefully, such an alteration could be to the benefit of Mbeumo too, if the early phase of the campaign is anything to go by.
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