Manchester United had a plan for the early stage of the summer transfer window. The Old Trafford outfit moved quickly to secure the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, upgrading its attack after a dismal 2024/25 season which saw Ruben Amorim’s team struggle badly for firepower in the final third. Bryan Mbeumo was meant to be the next part of that plan.

The Cameroonian attacker was identified as the perfect addition to take Manchester United’s forward line to the next level, and with good reason. Mbeumo found the back of the net 20 times in the Premier League last season, forging a strong understanding with Yoane Wissa for Brentford. He is ready to take the next step in his career.

United has reportedly lodged more than one offer to sign Mbuemo with the latest reporting stating a bid of over $70m was made. Brentford, however, is digging its heels in over the valuation of its prize asset. With Tottenham Hotspur also believed to be interested, the London club wants a bidding war to hike up the price even higher.

“He had a fantastic season,” said Brentford director of football Phil Giles when asked about the interest in Mbeumo. “We expected big interest in him, we have had big interest in him. He has his ideas about where he wants to take his career. He is well within his rights to do that. It is not impossible he is still a Brentford player next season if we agree he is going to stay.”

There’s no doubting Mbeumo would be a strong signing for Manchester United, but this is a team with far too much rebuilding to do this summer to waste too much time on the pursuit of a single player. If a deal can’t be struck for the 25-year-old at the right price, United has a duty to move on to alternative targets.

Amorim is under pressure to mould Manchester United in his own image. He struggled to communicate his ideas and methods to a group of players assembled by Erik ten Hag and so it’s crucial the Portuguese coach finds players capable of playing his style of play, and perhaps most importantly in his 3-4-3 formation which so many United players failed to adapt to last season.

This is a pivotal summer in the modern history of Manchester United. Last season was the worst suffered by the club in the Premier League. Not even a run to the final of the Europa League could mask just how bad the campaign was a whole was. Mbeumo could help fix things, but so too could a number of other players. The clock is ticking at Old Trafford.