Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo spoke to club media on a wide range of topics as he closes out his first season at the club.
He joined United last summer from Brentford in a deal worth an initial £65m, with the overall package potentially rising to £71m. The Cameroonian wasted no time in rendering himself a key member of the squad under now-sacked head coach Ruben Amorim.
Mbeumo enjoyed a superb start to life at United, regularly scoring goals for the club and even scooping up the Player of the Month award for August. However, his form somewhat declined since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
He found goals hard to come by and endured a goal drought until last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, when he finally found the back of the net. Many of Mbeumo’s critics have attributed his drop-off in performances to the AFCON, and the winger opened up on that very subject during his interview.
Mbeumo’s revelation
The 26-year-old told club media, “Yeah, of course, it is not easy. Especially as the AFCON is really demanding but it was a really, really good experience. I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait for the next one.”
Upon returning to United to find a change in the dugout, and then scoring against Manchester City, Mbeumo remarked, “It was a crazy game, to be honest. A lot of chances, a lot of disallowed goals but, at the end, we managed to win.”
“Winning in the derby is like new [for me] and priceless, it was such a good game.”
Season reflections
Asked to assess his maiden season at Old Trafford, Mbeumo answered, “Yeah, it’s been a quick, quick year but I’m really happy to be here. Playing for Manchester United is something special and what we achieved this season is great.”
“Of course. I mean, it’s always important to be ready and to adapt as soon as possible, in the club and in your new environment, and to be happy to integrate with the team-mates I had. It was easier for me because they were really helpful to me.”
“Being accepted by the fans is something that you always want. You are playing for yourself, for your family, for your friends, but also, and this is a big part, you play for the fans because every game they are always behind us. They never stop cheering us. So yeah, being accepted from them is great for me.”
Not only did Mbeumo score against City, but he also grabbed goals against Liverpool and Arsenal — every single one of United’s three most bitter rivals.
Asked whether he considers himself a big-game player, he replied, “Yeah [laughs], that’s true, obviously I scored against the big teams. As a player, that is what you want – you always want to perform on the biggest stages. I’m really happy for it.”
“Yeah, I think it’s a special, special feeling [scoring against Liverpool]. I couldn’t really describe it. Just to know these are the biggest rivals and being able to score in that game. As you said, some players never had a good chance to do it. It’s something I was really happy to have happened.”
Mbeumo said his Anfield goal was his personal favourite, but he gave top marks for goal of the season to Patrick Dorgu’s screamer against Arsenal and Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick vs Bournemouth.
On what are the aims of next season, Mbeumo remarked, “Obviously, it’s to perform in this competition [Champions League] because we’re not going there just to be there. But first of all, we want to keep the good rhythm in the Premier League because it’s really important as well.”
He agreed that his decision to join United even without Champions League football has been vindicated.
“Of course, it was a good answer for my choice and I always trust the process, I trust in my team-mates, I trust all the staff who brought me here and now, Michael Carrick. I’m really happy for what we have achieved and we just can’t wait to go again.”
“Obviously, it’s, as you say, step by step. Obviously, we now want to finish as high as possible in the table and not just stick only for this spot. To finish in the top three, it is a really good message and a really, really big performance from everyone.”
He continued, “To be honest, I’ve been settling here quite quickly. I got my house and then, with the club, it took a bit of time obviously because, when you come to a new club, you don’t know anybody, so it’s always a bit of time. But it has been quite easy because everyone was really nice to me and made me feel welcome.”
The former Brentford man insisted that he is looking forward to the summer to recharge his batteries and prepare for pre-season.
Featured image by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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