Bryan Mbeumo’s move to Manchester United in the summer has handed Ruben Amorim something he hasn’t had after long-term problem left from Mason Greenwood exit
09:23, 22 Oct 2025Updated 09:30, 22 Oct 2025
Josh is a Senior Football Writer for Reach PLC’s Central Audience Team. Having previously spent over a year at football.london as a trends writer, Josh has experience covering Leicester City for the Leicester Mercury. You can find Josh’s work across Reach PLC sides such as Manchester Evening News, football.london, Liverpool Echo, LeedsLive and many more.
Mason Greenwood was once one of Manchester United’s most dangerous players(Image: Getty Images)
During the 2019/20 season, Manchester United were one of the Premier League powerhouses with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men challenging at the top end of the table.
A big part of that was the fluid and attractive forward line on display at Old Trafford. Following the signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in January, United were a threat to every team they faced.
Surrounding Fernandes was the dangerous trio of Marcus Rashford on the left, Antony Martial down the middle and Mason Greenwood on the right. Huge wins over Sheffield United, Brighton, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Leicester City saw United qualify for the Champions League.
Greenwood’s emergence from the academy had many excited, and after bagging 19 goals that season, the forward netted a further 12 in the 2020/21 season. However, his time at Old Trafford came to an end in October 2022, when he was suspended after being charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault – though the charges were subsequently dropped.
Following a loan spell in Spain with Getafe, the 24-year-old joined Marseille for £26.6million. United inserted a significant sell-on clause in the move. Since moving to France, Greenwood has scored 29 goals and assisted a further 10 in 46 appearances.
During the peak of his career at United, there was no winger available who came close to him, especially on the right flank. And since that turn of events, United have struggled to replace him. In the summer of 2022, £82m was spent on Ajax winger Antony after his sizzling performances in the Netherlands.
The Brazilian failed to live up to his price tag, and after just 96 games, he moved to Real Betis last summer for £21.6m. However, the signing of Bryan Mbeumo in the same window has already produced more excitement.
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after opening the scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
United’s decision to target domestic talent in the transfer window saw them spend over £120m on Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Eight games into the 2025/26 season, and Mbeumo has already hit the ground running.
Sunday’s goal at Liverpool was only his second Premier League goal in his new colours. The Cameroonian ghosted past Virgil van Dijk and calmly slotted past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
After costing up to £71m in the summer, Mbeumo is now the first threat United have on the right since Greenwood’s exclusion following the turn of events in his personal life. His goal at Anfield came just 24 hours before reports in Spain indicated that a possible move for Greenwood was eyed.
Barcelona are understood to be looking at Greenwood to bolster their forward line further. Any return to Manchester seems unlikely, for obvious reasons. Fortunately, Amorim has an excellent option on the right in Mbeumo, something the club has not had the luxury of since 2022.
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