Rio Ferdinand has admitted that the “closeness” that he had with Bryan Mbeumo revealed what he is really like after the Manchester United star made his debut.
Bryan Mbeumo had been part of the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the United States, but the former Brentford ace missed the first two matches in the States.
The 25-year-old Manchester United summer signing arrived at Old Trafford in July after the Red Devils’ third bid for French-born Mbeumo was finally accepted.
United’s deal for Mbeumo included the Red Devils paying an initial £65m fee to Premier League side Brentford and a further £6m were agreed in add-ons.
Mbeumo was a key target for United in the summer alongside Matheus Cunha, who arrived at the Premier League club in a £62.5m deal from Wolves in June.
Ruben Amorim finally made the call to start former Bees star Mbeumo in United’s 2-2 draw against Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday.
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Tim Iroegbunam challenges for the ball with Bryan Mbeumo during the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty Images
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What Rio Ferdinand saw from former Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo amid his Man Utd debut performance vs Everton
Bryan Mbeumo was deployed alongside fellow summer signing Matheus Cunha in attack in Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tactical system on the weekend.
The 25-year-old Cameroon international was lively in attack and Mbeumo played the first 45 minutes before United manager Amorim withdrew him for Patrick Dorgu.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Rio Ferdinand said that a hidden detail with Mbeumo was the “team” that he has around him to help him improve both on the pitch and off it.
“But Mbeumo interestingly a lot, there is a serious side to him,” he explained.
“There’s a professional there that will enhance the environment. He works his b—- on and off the pitch, but off the pitch, he’s got a team he’s built around him: a nutritionist, a coach, a chef, etc.
“A real detail approach to it. And he’s shown he can score. He’s been here for six years; he’s shown he can score goals.”
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Rio Ferdinand reveals his first impressions of Bryan Mbeumo after he meeting the Man Utd summer signing
United legend Ferdinand has been involved in the Red Devils’ pre-season tour and the former TNT Sports pundit sat down and spoke to Mbeumo in an interview.
The 46-year-old ex-United and England defender admitted that Cameroon and Red Devils winger Mbeumo hit him with a “real positive feeling” from their interaction.
“So, those two [Cunha and Mbeumo] are gonna add a positive streak to the club,” Ferdinand continued.
“But listen, you [have] got to listen for the games. We interviewed Mbeumo for his first interview for my channel, which was great.
“And when you get that detail, that closeness of him, it was a real positive feeling that I got from him.”
United’s 2-2 draw with Everton in Georgia on Sunday evening was the Red Devils’ third and final match of the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.