Bryan Mbeumo has already told Ruben Amorim what he wants to hear before Man United transfer

Ruben Amorim is far from the first Manchester United manager to acknowledge that the team lacks leaders.

"We are starving for leaders on the pitch" is how he described it in early January after less than two months on the job. Amorim opted to go public, whereas The Guardian reported last May that Erik ten Hag's coaching staff believed the squad did not have enough vocal leaders.

Amorim also challenged Harry Maguire to improve in that area, stating "he has to improve as a leader". The head coach clarified, "he is a leader," but "he has to improve that part."

It will presumably go down well with Amorim that Bryan Mbeumo has previously spoken about being just that. "I feel like a leader in the team," he told the Telegraph in October.

"Everybody needs to take responsibility, but I have been at the club for five years now. At some point, you need to be a leader.

Alluding to Ivan Toney having left west London to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, Mbeumo acknowledged: "I don't feel any pressure. At the end of the day, I know what I need to do.

"Maybe I have more expectations from the fans or the people outside the pitch, but if you want to reach the steps you want to, you need to embrace this."

On the subject of personal development, he said: "I don't want to set limits on myself. I think I can always go higher. I want to be the best at what I do, every time."

United remain confident of signing the Cameroon international as talks continue with Brentford over a deal. The west London club have turned down two bids, both falling short of the £60million-plus valuation they are holding out for, while United seek a compromise.

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