Bryan Mbeumo’s move to Manchester United has entered its final stages, with the Cameroonian having completed his medical ahead of a £71m transfer from Brentford that signals the second major move of the summer for Ruben Amorim’s reds.

The deal would bring an end to weeks of negotiations between Man Utd and Brentford over a fee for the 25-year-old, who delivered a superb 20 goals and seven assists in 38 Premier League appearances last season.

Mbeumo’s ability to function across the forward positions opens up several tactical pathways for the Red Devils, and the question has been raised as to how Amorim intends to deploy the Cameroonian in the upcoming campaign.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at where Mbeumo could fit into Amorim’s attacking system.

Could Mbeumo lead the line?

It is no secret that Manchester United lacked a real goalscoring attacker in 2024-25, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managing just seven league goals between them, and Mbeumo may be the answer to that striker problem.

Although not a conventional number nine, Mbeumo has demonstrated his goalscoring prowess in recent seasons, netting nine Premier League goals in both 2022/23 and 2023/24 and scoring a sensational 20 in 2024/25.

Mbeumo did play alongside Yoane Wissa as a striker at times for Brentford last season, and with his ability to run in behind, come short and combine with other attackers and clinical finishing – as seen by scoring 20 goals from 12.3 expected goals – the Cameroonian could be a strong option as Man Utd’s starting striker.

Partnering Matheus Cunha in attacking midfield

Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation consists of two attacking midfielders playing just behind the central striker, and with summer signing Matheus Cunha signed to play one of these roles, the Brazilian could be partnered by the Cameroonian.

This role would suit Mbeumo’s abilities and allow him to move into his preferred spaces on the football pitch, with the freedom to drift wider or come more central and play off the main striker – in a similar way to how he partnered Wissa last term.

Alongside Cunha, who prefers coming from the left side and cutting inside, this could create one of the most dynamic attacking partnerships in the Premier League, and if Man Utd can find a striking solution, then this could make for an extremely productive attacking set up.

Will Amorim use Mbeumo out wide?

As already mentioned, Amorim’s preferred formation is the 3-4-2-1, meaning there is no room for any wingers, with the width being provided by the wing-backs.

Given Mbeumo’s position at Brentford was mostly from the right wing, the Cameroonian could be deployed as the right wing-back, with this allowing him to hold the width before cutting inside or driving down the line.

Amad Diallo was often deployed as the wing-back last season, and while this position does have some defensive responsibilities, it was evident that Amad was mainly tasked with helping the team in attack.

Mbeumo could do a similar job to Amad in that sense, and with both expected to play key roles in Man Utd’s season, this could create an interesting dynamic that would allow for the two to interchange between the attacking midfield and wing-back positions – creating overloads in wide areas and providing a real threat down the right side.

Written by
Ellis Stevens