Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are set to clash once more, this time off the pitch, in the transfer market. The season ended with Spurs celebrating European qualification, leaving United out of continental competitions for the first time in over a decade. That absence is now casting a long shadow over United’s summer plans, particularly their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo, one of Brentford’s standout performers. Despite offering more than £60 million, negotiations have stalled, with the Bees unconvinced.
Amid the ongoing transfer drama, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has added fuel to the fire with a bold suggestion. Speaking on Sky Sports, as relayed by the [Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2025/06/07/former-tottenham-star-warns-man-utd-60m-transfer-hijacked-23354844/), O’Hara floated a scenario that could flip the entire script: if Spurs were to appoint Thomas Frank as their new manager, they should immediately try to hijack United’s move for Mbeumo.
O’Hara didn’t pitch the idea as a long shot. Instead, he framed it as a logical step, one grounded in Frank’s past success with Mbeumo, Wissa, and Schade in Brentford’s high-energy front line. He also backed Frank as an ideal managerial fit for Tottenham, praising his organised, pressing-based football. But it was his remark about Mbeumo that raised eyebrows, a not-so-subtle nudge that Spurs, now in Europe and potentially with Frank at the helm, might be better placed than United to land the versatile forward.
> “I really like Thomas Frank. I think the time has come for him to have a big opportunity. He’s put a really good team together with Brentford. Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade were absolutely fantastic for them this season. Look, can we hijack Manchester United’s move for Mbeumo if we get Frank? I’d love him at the club. He’s a really good manager. He’s organised, his teams play good football and they press. I think he’d be a good appointment.”
Will Manchester United be able to sign Bryan Mbeumo?
So, should United continue to push for this signing? The short answer is yes. Bryan Mbeumo would be a strong fit in the 3-4-2-1 system that Rúben Amorim deployed last season. The Cameroonian offers sharp movement, intelligent positioning between the lines, and a keen understanding of space, traits that are vital in Amorim’s fluid attacking structure.
At Brentford, Mbeumo showed his versatility by operating both out wide and centrally, making him an ideal candidate to rotate between the two attacking midfield roles behind the striker. Just as importantly, his high defensive work rate aligns perfectly with Amorim’s pressing philosophy, which United aim to implement even in high-stakes games.
The real challenge, of course, is financial. Without Champions League football, Manchester United’s appeal is already diminished. If Tottenham step in with the added emotional leverage of reuniting Bryan Mbeumo with the coach who brought out the best in him, the situation could become even more difficult. To fend off that threat, United must act quickly and decisively, closing the deal with Brentford without delay. A compelling signing bonus and a clear role at the heart of Rúben Amorim’s project could be enough to tilt the balance. They simply cannot afford to lose another target due to hesitation or lack of conviction.
Stepping back, however, Jamie O’Hara’s comments could be seen more as a public nudge in favour of Spurs than a genuine indication of a looming transfer coup. There’s no guarantee that Thomas Frank will end up in North London. And without him, Mbeumo’s motivation to stay in London may wane. Still, that doesn’t mean United can afford to relax. They’ve missed out on too many signings in recent windows due to slow movement. If Mbeumo is genuinely part of their vision for the future, the time to act is now, before another club does.