Bryan Mbeumo: Dream partnership with Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United or Thomas Frank reunion at Tottenham? Transfer looms for Brentford star
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Published 19/06/2025 at 18:06 GMT+1
One of the most intriguing transfer moves of the summer could see Bryan Mbeumo saying goodbye to Brentford. But his destination remains unclear, with both Manchester United and Tottenham chasing his signature. After a fantastic season with The Bees, would Old Trafford or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium be better suited for the Cameroonian's talents?
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Video credit: SNTV
Just a few short weeks after their UEFA Europa League final showdown in Bilbao, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United look set to lock horns again, this time off the pitch in the transfer market.
The two traditional members of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ both endured a torrid time of it in the competition last season, with United finishing a lowly 15th and Spurs faring even worse, ending the campaign in 17th and just one place above the relegation zone.
The north London side did end the season on a high, however, winning the Europa League at the expense of The Red Devils, triumphing 1-0 in the Basque Country to end a 17-year trophy drought.
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That historic victory was not enough to save manager Ange Postecoglou, unfortunately, with the Australian leaving the club shortly afterwards and being replaced by Brentford boss Thomas Frank in N17.
Hoping for vastly improved performance in the league next term, both clubs are expected to be active in the transfer market.
United have already secured the services of Matheus Cunha, while Spurs have made Mathys Tel’s loan deal with the club permanent; however, both clubs reportedly have their sights set on Bryan Mbeumo, following the Brentford’s star’s brilliant campaign in Red and White for the Bees.
So if he does give up the stripes next season, will he opt for the red shirt at Old Trafford, or the white at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
How good was Mbeumo last season?
French-born Cameroon international Mbeumo primarily operates on the right wing, and last season proved to be one of the most effective attackers in the league, scoring 20 times, but also providing seven assists.
His total goal contributions were only bettered by Mohammed Salah (47) and Alexander Isak (29).
PlayerGoals + assistsMohamed Salah29 + 18 (47)Alexander Isak23 + 6 (29)Bryan Mbeumo20 + 7 (27)Erling Haaland22 + 3 (25)Ollie Watkins16 + 8 (24)
The 25-year-old also overperformed his expected goals total by the greatest margin in the division with his 20 strikes coming from an xG of 12.26, in addition to the highest expected assists total of any player in the Premier League this season (9.28).
This incredible output saw him named in Opta's Premier League Team of the Season.
Premier League Team of the Season
Image credit: Opta
How important is Mbeumo for Brentford?
The Bees have continuously impressed since their 2021 promotion to the top flight, and as well as finishing a respectable 10th this past season, also managed their most wins in a campaign since coming up, with 16, and their most goals scored (66).
That was largely helped by Mbeumo, whose 27 goal contributions accounted for 40.9% of the team's total in the league.
These goals and assists directly led to Brentford winning 22 of their 56 points across the campaign, second only to Salah, who helped champions Liverpool to 38 of their 84 total points.
Mbeumo often provided the foundation on which Brentford were able to build, with eight opening goals for the club, only bettered by Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest on nine.
With regard to his team-mates, Mbeumo’s partnership with Yoane Wissa proved especially effective, with the Congolese forward scoring 19 times, while as far as assists go, Danish midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard contributed 10.
Brentford 24/25Goals + AssistsBryan Mbeumo20 + 7 (27)Yoane Wissa19 + 4 (23)Kevin Schade11 + 2 (13)Mikkel Damsgaard2 + 10 (12)Christian Norgaard5 + 4 (9)
How would Mbeumo fit in at Man Utd?
United’s shortcomings last season were highlighted by their poor record in front of goal. As a team, the Red Devils’ 44 strikes in the league saw them rank 16th overall, with only Everton and the three relegated sides scoring fewer, and a conversion rate worse than every team bar bottom of the table Southampton.
ClubTotal goalsConversion %Ipswich Town3613.6%Leicester City3313.6%Manchester United4412.3%Southampton2612%
On an individual basis, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo were the club’s top scorers with eight in the league, further highlighting the need for more firepower in advanced areas.
Man Utd, PL 24/25GoalsBruno Fernandes8Amad Diallo 8Alejandro Garnacho 6Rasmus Hojlund4Marcus Rashford4Joshua Zirkzee3
Fernandes remains the team’s shining light, however, having finished the campaign with 91 total chances created - more than any player in the division.
Mbeumo himself made the top five of this particular list, suggesting that the prospect of the two linking up could well provide both the creativity and clinical edge that the team sorely missed last season, and see goals flow at Old Trafford once more.
PlayerChances created 24/25xABruno Fernandes918.0Cole Palmer899.3Mohamed Salah899.1Enzo Fernandez796.2Bryan Mbeumo709.3
How would Mbeumo fit in at Spurs?
Almost conversely, Spurs’ attack was far from their biggest issue last season, with the team’s 64 goals the seventh-best total in the league, and the same as a Chelsea side who finished fourth.
That’s not to say there isn’t room for improvement, however, and Mbeumo would potentially be joining an attack-minded team where he could truly flourish – especially under the same manager who has liberated him previously.
PlayerGoals + AssistsBrennan Johnson11 + 3 (14)James Maddison9 + 7 (16)Dominic Solanke9 + 3 (12)Son Heung-min7 + 9 (16)Dejan Kulusevski7 + 4 (11)Richarlison4 + 1 (5)Mathys Tel2 +1 (3)Wilson Odobert1 + 0 (0)
Why Mbeumo might be reluctant to join the club, however, is due to competition for places given how many players Spurs have to deploy in wide attacking areas.
However, with club legend Son Heung-min perhaps rumoured to be on his way out of the club, Mbeumo could be the perfect player to fill that void immediately.
'Absolutely brilliant!' - Mbeumo beats Raya at near post as Brentford strike first
Video credit: TNT Sports
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