Profile: Mbeumo's incredible journey to United

The Cameroonian forward was an eagerly anticipated signing from Brentford on the back of a fantastic 20-goal season with the West London club in 2024/25, the peak of a career defined by a steady belief, humility and consistent quality.

Like children across the world, Bryan played football late into the evenings during his youth, in the small French town of Avalon, where he recalls “everyone knowing everyone.” He began to hone his craft first with CO Avallonais, where coaches described him as “a great kid with an impeccable mindset who knows where he wants to go.” A brief spell with Bourgoin-Jallieu aside, Bryan continued with his local side until 2013 when he joined Troyes, aged 14.

Progressing through their ranks, Mbeumo first drew national attention in 2018 when netting a double in the final of the Coupe Gambardella — the French equivalent to the FA Youth Cup — at the Stade de France. He was the first to score a double in the fixture since Kylian Mbappe. Those two goals, the first a stunning volley reminiscent of Robin van Persie, inspired Troyes to a 2-1 victory, and their first competition triumph for 62 years. It also earned him a first professional contract.

For those who had watched Mbeumo’s development, such a headline-grabbing performance was of little surprise. He’d already earned his senior debut with Troyes, in a 1-0 Ligue 1 victory over Metz, and made a further three appearances that season, making it a successful personal campaign despite the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.

That demotion provided plenty of opportunity for Mbeumo to thrive in the following campaign, however. His 11 goals in 40 games helped Troyes to push for immediate promotion, although it ended in heartbreak with defeat to Lens in the play-off semi-final.

Such team-leading performances while still in his teens made it clear that Mbeumo was destined for a great career, with several Ligue 1 sides linked with a transfer. The next step followed shortly after when Brentford paid £5.4m for his signing in August 2019.

"Bryan is exactly the sort of player we want at Brentford," then-head coach Thomas Frank said.

"He is quick, he is direct, he can beat people attacking one-on-one, he can arrive late in the penalty area and he can score goals.”

That much was shown to be true as, just at Troyes, Mbeumo’s goals helped take his team to the second-tier play-offs. Netting 16 times in 47 appearances, once again the season ended with personal pride but team disappointment as Brentford were beaten 2-1 in the final by Fulham.

The 2020 signing of Ivan Toney for Brentford shifted Mbeumo’s role slightly, as he played a key supporting role to the central striker, with the Bees this time tasting victory in the Wembley final, against Swansea City.

Mbeumo impressed in his debut Premier League season, aged 22, scoring eight times in 38 appearances, and it could have been many more — he struck the woodwork on a remarkable seven occasions. In the FA Cup, he netted a first career hat-trick when coming off the bench in a 4-1 third-round victory over Port Vale. Such strong displays earned him a new contract, and a call-up to join the national team of his father’s birthplace, Cameroon. After a meeting with one of his idols, Samuel Eto’o, Mbeumo declared for Cameroon and represented the Indomitable Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group stages.

He later missed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a rare injury, but in that year took on the mantle as Brentford’s key man, following the suspension of Toney. Now building an effective on-pitch partnership with Yoanne Wissa, the two excelled, with Mbeumo nominated for the league’s Player of the Month award in both August and October. Three more nominations followed the next season, in 2024/25, as Mbeumo struck a fantastic 20 goals, the fourth-most in the division.

As one of the Premier League’s most clinical forwards with a well-renowned work rate and quality as a dribbler, Mbeumo was always going to attract attention from clubs across Europe in 2025. In his head, though, there was only ever one likely destination: Manchester United.

His signing completed a childhood dream that began when he wore the red shirt of Cristiano Ronaldo while playing in the streets. Now, this quiet but assured character brings real quality to Old Trafford which Ruben Amorim hopes will perfectly complement the other explosive attacking talents, including fellow summer signing Matheus Cunha.