Manchester United sign Brentford forward for £71m

Manchester United have signed Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for a reported fee of up to £71m.

The 25-year-old has agreed a deal until 2030 with the option of a further year.

The initial £65m fee could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved.

Mbeumo joins fellow forward Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford after the Brazil international arrived from Wolves last month for £62.5m.

“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; the team whose shirt I wore growing up,” Mbeumo said.

“My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from [manager] Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.

“Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future. This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies.”

Mbeumo is set to join United on their three-game pre-season tour of the United States.

Bryan Mbeumo: Man United beat Tottenham to signing

Spurs held initial talks over Mbeumo a day after appointing Thomas Frank – his boss last season – on June 12, Sky Sports reported at the time.

Frank’s new club have since added two forwards who share Mbeumo’s ability to offer width, signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich for £30m and Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for a reported £54.5m.

“He had an unbelievable season,” Brentford director of football Phil Giles told Sky Sports on June 30, appearing to confirm that Mbeumo wanted to join United.

“We expected him to stay. If that deal’s right, there’s a deal to do. If it’s not, he’ll stay. It’s not a given that he’s going to depart this summer.”

Brentford will now be determined to keep hold of forward Yoane Wissa, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle.

Bryan Mbeumo stats

Mbeumo has been one of the most consistent attacking players in the Premier League since joining Brentford from Troyes for a then-club record £5.8m in 2019.

The former France youth international provided 15 goals and seven assists in 42 games in his first season in the Championship and 11 assists and eight goals in 44 matches as Brentford won promotion to the Premier League a season later.

Having been directly involved in 33 goals across the preceding two seasons, 2024/25 was the first campaign in which Mbeumo reached double figures in the division, achieving the feat in style with 20 goals and eight assists to help the club come 10th.

Injury ruled Mbeumo out of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024 but he has six goals and two assists in 22 international appearances, including one of each against Libya in March and an assist in a 3-3 group stage draw with Serbia at the 2022 World Cup.

As well as Frank’s departure to Tottenham, Brentford have lost captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal and goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who has moved to Bayer Leverkusen.

Why have Man United signed Bryan Mbeumo?

Of the teams outside of the relegation zone, only Everton finished with a lower tally than United’s 44 league goals in 2024/25.

United had failed to score in four of their nine league games by the time Erik ten Hag was sacked on October 28.

Successor Ruben Amorim was unable to significantly improve their fortunes, with their performance in their 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Spurs hampered by a distinct lack of cutting edge.

Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes finished as their joint top scorers in the league with eight goals each, while Amorim exiled former top scorer Marcus Rashford from the squad and questioned the England striker’s attitude before loaning him to Aston Villa.

Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund faced ample criticism during a dire season, scoring four times in 32 league games including a run of 13 without a goal.

Amorim has since signed Cunha, who was responsible for 17 goals and six assists for Wolves last season, for £62.5m.

When does Man United’s 2025/26 Premier League season start?

The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 will be on the weekend of August 16 2025, including United’s visit from Arsenal on Sunday, August 17 at 16:30 BST.

Mbeumo scored Brentford’s opener at home to Arsenal on January 1, although the Gunners came back to win 3-1.

United’s game against the 2024/25 runners-up is being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League, Ultra and Main Event.

The last round of matches this season will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.