Bryan Mbeumo has endured a sharp decline in form since his explosive start to life at Manchester United, raising questions among fans about his consistency after a goal drought stretching back to February 7. Despite being the club’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals, the £71 million summer signing has failed to register a goal or assist in the past two months.
Early Impact at Old Trafford
Mbeumo’s arrival was met with high expectations after he scored 20 league goals for Brentford last season—more than any United player since Robin van Persie in 2012-13. His experience in the Premier League was seen as a major advantage compared to other new forwards like Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko.
The Cameroon international justified that faith early, scoring six goals in his first four months. He played a pivotal role in United’s first win at Anfield in a decade and followed it with a brace in a 4-2 victory over Brighton, sparking a run of three straight league wins for the first time in over a year.
'Working Machine' Label and Tactical Shift
Praised by then-manager Ruben Amorim as a “working machine”, Mbeumo brought energy, pace, and intelligence to United’s attack, excelling both as a target man and a runner in behind defences. His ability to thrive in different attacking roles made him a standout performer.
However, his momentum was disrupted when he left for the Africa Cup of Nations in December. During his absence, Amorim was sacked and replaced by Michael Carrick, forcing Mbeumo to adapt to a new system and a more central role as a traditional centre-forward.
Smooth Transition Under New Management
Despite the upheaval, Mbeumo adjusted seamlessly. He scored the opening goal of the Carrick era in a 2-0 win over Manchester City in January, then struck the equaliser in United’s 3-2 victory at Arsenal—the first team to win at the Emirates Stadium this season. He added another goal in the 2-0 win against Tottenham, taking his tally to three in four games under the new boss.
Now, as United prepare to face Mbeumo’s former club Brentford on Monday, scrutiny over his recent performances has grown. With no goals since that Tottenham match, calls are mounting for Carrick to reconsider his place in the starting XI.