Ruben Amorim's Manchester United managed to save their Old Trafford record of winning at half-time without going on to lose the match, present since 1984, with a sharp turnaround against Bournemouth to draw 4-4 following Kobbie Mainoo's introduction. The Englishman impressed but the same cannot be said for AFCON-bound Bryan Mbeumo, who missed crucial chances to get on the scoresheet.
United were on top for the majority of the eight-goal thriller, though it was their inexperience in the back line, evidently heightened by the absence of Matthijs de Ligt, that saw them go ahead three times and not win – which is the first time that's happened in a Premier League match since Manchester City against Chelsea in November 2023.
Eight different players – four from either side, such as Matheus Cunha for United and Marcus Tavernier for Bournemouth – joined in on the goalscoring party on Monday evening as they put together one of the craziest matches thus far. It was clear that Mbeumo was off the pace of what was expected in such a frantic, back-to-front match, though, and much of the Old Trafford faithful are making the same comment.
Mbeumo's Performance vs Bournemouth Flattered to Deceive
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In an attempt to freshen up their beleaguered attack, United spent a large chunk of their summer funds on Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Mbeumo. Diego Leon and Senne Lammens were signed for good measure, too, but the focus was bringing in goal-getting forwards after such a poor season in front of goal last time out. And it was Mbeumo who hit the ground running.
Signed from capital club Brentford for a fee of up to £70 million, the 27-cap Cameroon international has plundered eight goal contributions (seven goals and the solitary assist) in 17 outings since his London-to-Manchester switch but his appearances of late have flattered to deceive.
In the early stages of United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, Mbeumo was part of a four-man attacking constellation – alongside Mason Mount, Cunha and Amad – that managed to create opportunities as if they were going out of fashion. That waned, however, but they continued to muster chances at a lesser rate. Mbeumo was on the receiving end of many, but he couldn't convert.
The moxie he typically brings was lacking under the lights at Old Trafford, and he wasted a number of final-third opportunities, and they were the sort of chances that you'd expect October's Premier League Player of the Month to finish off. If he was to convert even half of his chances in front of goal, the scoreline may have been entirely different.
Mbeumo, 26, enjoyed 44 touches of the ball – seven of which came inside the Bournemouth box – and two passes into the final third as he looked to combine with his attacking teammates.
Bryan Mbeumo – Statistics vs Bournemouth
Minutes
Touches (in. opp box)
Total Shots
Successful Dribbles (%)
Passes into Final Third
Accurate Crosses (%)
Ground Duels Won (%)
Overall Rating
Two chances were created by the France-born talisman, who earns £150,000-per-week for his new employers, and he won half (4/8) of his ground duels against a high-pressing Bournemouth side. All in all, it wasn't Mbeumo's finest display in United colours, but we all know what he is capable of – and there's every chance he'll be back to his best post-AFCON.
In the coming weeks, Amorim and company will need to find a way of replacing the goal-getting threat of Mbeumo. A change in formation, from a three-at-the-back to a traditional four-back, has been teased by the United head coach – and United's No.7, the in-form Mount, could be stationed as the right No.10 in his teammate's winter absence.
Plenty of Man Utd Fans Make Similar Point Regarding Mbeumo's Bournemouth Display
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As mentioned, Amorim's United – who faced Aston Villa away from home next before welcoming Newcastle United to the Theatre of Dreams – will have to operate without the 1999-born ace for as long as Cameroon remain at AFCON. And the Old Trafford faithful believe that international duty could do him the world of good. "Send Mbuemo to AFCON IMMEDIATELY," one said.
"Mbeumo heading off to AFCON at the right time. He’s caught the Utd bug. Not been at the races last couple games," another fan wrote in the aftermath of the goal frenzy on Monday evening.
"With Mbeumo going off for AFCON, I really hope he sorts himself out cause his performances this last couple of weeks have been so disappointing. Everyone else is stepping up, he needs to do a lot better."
Mbeumo Related
What Bryan Mbeumo Told His Sister When She Questioned His Man Utd Transfer
The Cameroonian could have joined a Champions League club.
"What has happened to Bryan Mbeumo?" a fourth supporter commented, before another added the former Brentford star has endured five tough matches on the bounce. They wrote: "5 stinkers in a row for Mbeumo," as another added: "Mbeumo, I am about to lose my mind here." A final supporter criticised his 89-minute performance: "Mbeumo that was a 10/10 stinker performance."
All statistics per FotMob – correct as of 16/12/2025