Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has opened up on his private talks with Ruben Amorim that convinced him to snub other suitors in favour of an Old Trafford switch.
United finally sign Mbeumo After wrapping up a deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, United turned their attention towards signing Mbeumo.
Personal terms were promptly agreed before United launched a first offer for the player at the start of June. This was immediately turned down by Brentford.
United returned with an improved offer, which valued Mbeumo at around the same fee that was forked out for Cunha. There was confidence this proposal would be accepted but in a stunning twist, Brentford turned it down too. The Red Devils threatened to walk away from the deal as Brentford kept moving the goalposts in terms of their valuation, but negotiations remained ongoing.
It was slightly more than a week ago that United lodged a third and final bid for Mbeumo worth a total of 71m. Under pressure from Mbeumo, who made it clear he was only interested in United, Brentford finally accepted and sanctioned the Cameroonian’s sale.
Mbeumo was finally inveiled and travelled with the team for the US pre-season tour. He was not named in the matchday squad that beat West Ham 2-1 over the weekend because he is catching up in his preparations.
The 25-year-old sat down with reporters and explained that while he wanted to join United because of the sheer size and history of the club, Amorim’s ambitious pitch was what ultimately sold him on the move.
Mbeumo speaks on his transfer saga The 25-year-old said [as quoted by Daily Mail], “I trust my people and I was convinced that it was going to happen. I always trust my people around me. The transfer window can be long, it can be short, so you have be patient and just try to keep thinking positively about things.”
“I was obviously on my holidays so I just wanted to think about resting mentally and physically. If it was going to happen, it was going to happen. I think I’m someone who likes a challenge. There is a very good project in Manchester, and I wanted to be part of it.”
“You want to play on the greatest stages in the world and Old Trafford is one of them. So being able to play there every two weeks is just big. Of course, I spoke to some other managers because I wanted to hear their projects, but the Manchester United one was very good for me.”
He continued, “I’ve spoken with Ruben. It was a very friendly conversation and a constructive one. He explained his project to me, what he wanted to do, and I really clicked with that. He said ‘we are people who like winning and we want to be the best team’. Of course, that’s what we will try to do.”
Mbeumo gives clarity on his preferred position Mbeumo is expected to slot into one of the two number 10 positions in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up. It’s not an unfamiliar role to him, as he noted in his interview.
He primarily turned out as a winger for Brentford but he stressed that he is versatile and willing to play wherever the managed wants him.
“I think now, in football, you have to be adaptable and be able to play in a few other positions than what you’d say is your best.”
“Obviously I’ve played as a winger mainly at Brentford, but I don’t have one specific position where I feel I can do the best. With Brentford, I used to also play as a No 10 in the pocket or even as a No 9. I can play all those positions. Whatever position the gaffer wants to put me out, I will play there.”
“I always want to be better than I was yesterday. I’m very demanding of myself and I always try to do the best. I don’t like to put limits on myself as well.”
Mbeumo netted a career-high 20 Premier League goals last term. Only Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak scored more goals than him. The new United man also provided seven assists.
Featured image David Rogers via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
