Bryan Mbeumo is going to be a huge miss for Manchester United in the upcoming weeks, after heading to the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon.
There was a big shock during Manchester United’s draw with Bournemouth, with the Red Devils scoring four goals at home, and Bryan Mbeumo not among the scorers.
Mbeumo had an uncharacteristically wasteful game, untypical of his impressive spell at Manchester United so far.
So far this season, Mbeumo is Manchester United’s top goalscorer with seven goals in 17 games, all from open play. Six of these goals have come in the Premier League.
There is a lot to reflect on after his stirring start to the season, with Manchester United’s £65 million investment looking like money well spent.
How many goals do you think Bryan Mbeumo will finish with this season? ⚽
Bryan Mbeumo graphic
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Bryan Mbeumo’s shooting
Bryan Mbeumo has already scored more Premier League goals (6) than Rasmus Hojlund did in the whole of last season for Manchester United (4).
While that was a low bar to clear, there is a notable difference in their shooting situations.
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Last season, Hojlund took his shots from an average distance of 12.9 yards away from goal, per FBRef, while Mbeumo’s this season are from 15.4 yards out on average.
Bryan Mbeumo reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Mbeumo above expectation
Last season Rasmus Hojlund underperformed his Expected Goal tally, which was a very poor 5.3 xG. He scored four.
Mbeumo’s Expected Goals for this season is 5.5 xG, which he is exceeding with six Premier League goals scored.
Last season Mbeumo’s xG for Brentford was 12.9, which he staggeringly outperformed with 20 goals.
Despite this impressive statistic suggesting regression was coming, he has been able to continue to score difficult chances, and produce at a high level.
Could YOU see Bryan Mbeumo as a future Man Utd captain after Bruno Fernandes’ exit? 🤔🫡
Amad compared Bryan Mbeumo with Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire. If Mbeumo isn’t ‘Man Utd captain material,’ who should be next in line for the armband? 👀
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Work ethic backs up his scoring
Bryan Mbeumo’s scoring is just part of his game. He is working tirelessly, and the numbers back this up.
Mbeumo has made 17 combined tackles and interceptions for Manchester United, an improvement on the 11 made by Marcus Rashford last season.
And while Rashford made 24 ball recoveries, Mbeumo has made 54 in total, a staggering difference.
This ability to work hard and win the ball back is having a major difference, and makes the Cameroon international a real multi-dimensional threat.
For years, Manchester United have lacked work rate and effective pressing from the front players. Mbeumo is providing a tonic for that.
A hand-picked fit for Amorim, with an exciting connection
Bryan Mbeumo’s impact is what happens when Ruben Amorim and Manchester United’s data-driven recruitment department work hand-in-hand.
Mbeumo has been a perfect fit for Amorim’s system, able to play as an inside forward, while also offering threat as a striker when Benjamin Sesko has been out injured.
The most impressive aspect has been Mbeumo’s link-up with Amad, with the pair forging a potentially devastating threat on Manchester United’s right side.
The pair combined for a stunning goal in the 2-1 win at Anfield, and in every game played, they have caused problems for the opponents.
Losing both Amad and Mbeumo to the AFCON presents a major challenge, and we need both of them back as swiftly as possible.
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