South African legend and former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa has backed the Red Devils’ move for Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, terming it a “masterstroke” and “coup” as they rebuild the club from its current ruins.
Fortune underlined that Mbeumo’s signing instantly improves the team in attack, as he is proven both as a goalscorer and a playmaker. Manchester United only managed 44 goals in the Premier League last season while Mbeumo netted 20, with six assists at Brentford.
“Mbeumo to Manchester United isn’t just a masterstroke of a signing, but also a major coup in the window. For me, he is among the top five forwards in the league currently,” the 48-year-old, who made 76 appearances for Manchester United between 1999 and 2006, said.
“He can score all sorts of goals in and outside the box, he has that type of range and he has proved that. He can also create and make the goals for the other players. Bryan improves everyone around him, yet still, he can operate in multiple positions across the front,” the former South African international added.
“His arrival, plus Matheus Cunha, will relieve Bruno Fernandes of the burden he has carried over the past seasons. Bryan also offers various options to Ruben Amorim with his versatility, so, for me, he is a massive signing for them.”
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Across his time at Brentford, Mbeumo played 236 games in six seasons across all competitions, scoring 69 times, and registering 47 assists. He joined them from French outfit Troyes, which is also his boyhood club.
Meanwhile, internationally, Mbeumo debuted for Cameroon’s senior national team in 2022, having previously represented France for the youth-level ranks. He has since played 22 games, netting six times with one assist for the Indomitable Lions.
