Mbeumo's return a timely boost for derby

The winger left the pitch during the dying moments of the thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in mid-December, and joined up with Cameroon days later, for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The Reds – without Mbeumo and fellow AFCON representatives Amad and Noussair Mazraoui – were unlucky to lose at high-flying Aston Villa the following weekend, on the night the action began in Morocco.

Bryan will have no doubt been an active observer on Boxing Day, when Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s volley and an excellent rearguard performance secured an important victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

But United haven’t prevailed in any of the subsequent four matches, recording successive league draws with Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley, before exiting the Emirates FA Cup at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ruben Amorim has departed in the meantime, and we’ve missed the pace and strength of Mbeumo, who has characterised some of this season’s standout moments.

Our no.19 impressed on debut against Arsenal, a game United probably should have got a result from.

He found the net as we got off the mark with the win over Burnley, and those decisive contributions in front of goal soon became a theme, particularly in October when he won both league and club Player of the Month prizes.

Mbeumo provided an assist for Mason Mount to set us on our way to victory over Sunderland, before striking first in the showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.

Harry Maguire’s late winner has become the iconic moment from that contest, but the image of Mbeumo celebrating, arms outstretched in front of Kop, after outpacing Virgil van Dijk and hitting the target should not be forgotten either.

A two-goal salvo helped down the Seagulls in their league visit to Old Trafford and Fabian Hurzeler’s side will surely have been delighted that he couldn’t participate in the cup clash, as Brighton are – along with Southampton and Spurs – his favourite opponents in English football, each conceding five times to the Cameroon international.

The goals have dried up a touch since, although Mbeumo did impress in the group stages in Morocco, as the Indomitable Lions secured second spot in Group F, before overcoming the fancied South Africa in the round of 16.

Ultimately, the hosts proved too strong in Friday’s quarter-final match-up, and Bryan will doubtless be disappointed that he could not help his nation become continental champions for the sixth time.

But Cameroon’s loss is United’s gain, and the return of Mbeumo – along with Amad – should provide us with a timely boost ahead of a hugely pressurised Manchester derby on Saturday.

Both sides come into the game needing three points after a string of draws – with United chasing down a Champions League spot and City aiming to close the gap on Arsenal at the top.

Saturday’s visitors have had injury issues in defence, with Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones all ruled out.

Nico O’Reilly has enjoyed a breakthrough season at left-back, but surely won’t relish the prospect of facing Mbeumo, who was one of our standout players in the reverse fixture and only denied a goal of his own by Gianluigi Donnarumma’s spectacular save.

It has been a difficult opening to 2026 at Old Trafford, but a derby provides the perfect opportunity to shift the mood.

And Mbeumo will surely be a key figure if we are to overcome Pep Guardiola’s side and restore some cheer.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.