Bryan Mbeumo will improve when he gets a better understanding of the new position he is being asked to fill at Manchester United, according to boss Ruben Amorim.
Mbeumo made his United debut last night in the 2-2 draw with Everton in the Premier League Summer Series in Atlanta, and impressed with some nice touches.
The £71million signing from Brentford used to operate in a wide right position for the Bees but last night lined up as one of two central number 10s in behind Matheus Cunha.
Amorim was encouraged by what he saw – particularly Mbeumo’s link up with right wing-back Amad Diallo – but believes there is more to come.
“He played well,” Amorim said. “He needs to understand the position, the movements, but [his] first touch, the way you connect with one touch, open[ing] a lot of space. You can see he’s not in perfect condition, physically, but he makes a lot of runs and that can stretch a team.”
Encouraging signs for Manchester United
United won the tournament after wins over West Ham and Bournemouth and the draw with the Toffees to continue the overall impression of a club starting to find its feet again after a woeful 2024-25 season.
Amorim has weeded out the players he does not wish to keep – Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho, AKA the ‘Bomb Squad’, continue to train back in England – and the team has looked fitter and sharper in the United States.
The club will look to bolster the squad further in the closing weeks of the transfer window with a centre forward the priority. United are closely monitoring RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but face competition from Newcastle.
Amorim added: “Of course, one team can also always improve with more players, but we have players to make that competition.
“We need to improve as a team. We have potential to improve with our players. I’m really happy with the squad.”
Fernandes not happy with ‘lazy’ United
Captain Bruno Fernandes believes more quality is required after a performance he described as “lazy”.
The Portugal international told Sky Sports: “It’s been positive to be together to create a bond between the players.
“It’s been important for developing how we want to play and getting the new players involved too.
“We didn’t want to finish in this way. Our performance wasn’t the best and we were a little bit lazy today.
“It was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here. More quality to get everyone to step up a little bit more, and I think that is what the club are trying to do.”
United fly home to face Fiorentina at the weekend before their season-opening clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17.
