It’s only pre-season is the cry, but boy has Bryan Mbeumo looked sharp, the Manchester United man seemingly back with a vengeance following a muted 2026 so far.
The Cameroon international notably scored in three of Michael Carrick‘s first four matches in charge, yet subsequently embarked on an 11-game goalless run, before notching in each of the final two outings of the campaign.
There was a sense that the former Brentford man was suffering from his mid-season stint at AFCON, yet having seen his country fail to qualify for this summer’s World Cup, he’s looking all the better for a spell of rest and recuperation.
Against Leeds United, in particular, on Wednesday evening, the 27-year-old was a real handful, posing an ominous sign for Premier League defences heading into the new season.
Why Mbeumo has been the star of Man Utd’s pre-season so far
Mbeumo had been United’s man for the big occasion in 2025/26, netting home and away against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as in key meetings with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Four of his five goals under Carrick also came while deployed in a fluid false nine role, with his pre-season heroics – and the absence of Benjamin Sesko – suggesting that he might well start the new campaign through the middle again.
Indeed, the £65m signing bagged a brace against Atletico Madrid before adding another against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, showcasing the kind of clinical edge that saw him hit 20 league goals in his final year in west London.
He may not have added to that tally against Leeds at Croke Park, yet Mbeumo was such a delight to watch, notably spinning away from his man down the left flank, before picking out the impressive Joshua Zirkzee to open the scoring for United.
Working in tandem with Zirkzee, albeit with the Dutchman regularly seen dropping into midfield, Mbeumo was electric in his central role, with it clear to see why Carrick is such a fan of this fluid, dynamic frontline.
The France-born forward also came close to getting on the scoresheet himself in a rampant first-half display, first seeing a drilled effort parried wide by James Trafford, before later striking the crossbar with a thumping strike from the angle.
He looks like a player ready to hit the ground running this season, with now the time to build a fearsome forward line around him.
How Man Utd could sign an even bigger talent than Mbeumo
If Mbeumo’s shift into a central role is to be a permanent one, that might well alter the dynamic in terms of new arrivals, with there the potential for a new right-winger to be brought in to rival Amad.
|
Man Utd Player Ratings vs Leeds* |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Ranking |
|
GK – Lammens |
7 |
|
RB – Dalot |
6 |
|
CB – Yoro |
7 |
|
CB – Heaven |
6 |
|
LB – Amass |
6 |
|
CM – Santos |
7 |
|
CM – T. Fletcher |
5 |
|
RW – Amad |
6 |
|
SS – Zirkzee |
8 |
|
LW – Dorgu |
7 |
|
ST – Mbeumo |
8 |
|
*Starting lineup |
|
It had previously looked like the left flank was the priority, but Carrick now boasts Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford on that side, hence the need to look to the opposite wing.
Reports this week did suggest that Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye could be the solution, although the 26-year-old’s Senegal teammate, Ibrahim Mbaye, might represent a more realistic option.
As per reports in Spain, United are one of a string of clubs who have made contact directly with Paris Saint-Germain regarding a potential deal for Mbaye, suggesting talks have been held, with the 18-year-old said to be a player that ‘everybody wants’.
The likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa are also in the mix for the teenager’s signature, with PSG – fresh from their UEFA Super Cup triumph – set to demand in excess of €50m (£42m).
Considering the young winger’s contract expires in 2028, perhaps there is a little room for negotiation, ensuring INEOS could potentially snag a bargain for this supreme starlet.
Lauded as “the next Kylian Mbappe” by GOAL, it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that Mbaye might even be a bigger talent than Mbeumo, considering he previously became the youngest-ever player to start a game for PSG at the age of just 16.
In 42 games at senior level, he’s already scored and assisted eight goals, while also scoring four times in just 15 caps for Senegal, including a thumping consolation against France at the World Cup this summer.
In Mbeumo’s case, he also began his career in France, scoring and assisting 16 goals in 46 games for Troyes, albeit with 37 of those appearances coming in Ligue 2, rather than the top flight.
It’s also worth noting that Mbeumo’s senior debut didn’t come until the age of 18, while he only made his senior international bow four years ago, with Mbaye already firmly ahead in that sense.
A right-footer who is typically deployed on the right flank, the PSG sensation notably scored against Mbeumo and co in the recent pre-season meeting, getting ahead of Ayden Heaven to prod home from close range.
Five goals and assists in Ligue 1 last term doesn’t make for especially strong reading, but he only actually started ten games, suggesting there’s still plenty of room for Mbaye to develop if afforded more consistent minutes.
He’s an explosive, eye-catching talent, alright, and for a potential fee of just £42m, this feels like a no-brainer for INEOS to pull off.
