Childhood fan Mbeumo joins Man Utd re-build
LONDON: Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo said he “grew up wearing” the Manchester United shirt on Monday after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, with an option for a further year. Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million having scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for the Bees. Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the France-born attacker before United’s improved offer sealed the move. United’s third bid, worth an initial £65m with £6m in add-ons, was accepted last week. “As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams,” Mbeumo said in a United statement. “The team whose shirt I wore growing up. “This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies,” he added. United coach Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season’s catastrophic display. They lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74. Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim’s main strikers last term. “My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday,” Mbeumo said. “I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players. Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions