Bryan Mbeumo has admitted that he held talks with a number of managers before committing to Manchester United – but ultimately decided that Ruben Amorim’s vision for the club was the right fit for him.
The Cameroon forward became United’s second big signing of the summer, arriving from Brentford in a deal that could reach £71 million.
While Amorim’s side were long-time front-runners for Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, the pursuit of Mbeumo was less straightforward as Newcastle United and Tottenham also worked hard to tempt him away from Old Trafford.
Despite offers that included Champions League football, the 25-year-old chose United because of the project laid out to him by Amorim.
“I spoke to some other managers because I wanted to hear their projects but the Manchester United one was very good for me,” Mbeumo said.
“Manchester United is a big club. I think it’s a great opportunity and I chose the project. I think I’m someone who likes a challenge. There is a very good project in Manchester and I wanted to be part of it.
“It was a very friendly conversation [with Amorim] and a constructive one. He explained his project to me, what he wanted to do and I really clicked on that.
“He said ‘we are people who like winning, and we want to be the best team,’ and of course that’s what we will try to do.”
Negotiations with Brentford proved lengthy and, according to sources, caused frustration at United.
The club believed that Brentford were pushing Mbeumo toward other Premier League sides and were frequently adjusting their asking price, creating a drawn-out process that lasted several weeks.
Reflecting on that period, Mbeumo said: “You have to be patient and just try to keep thinking positively about things.
“I was obviously on my holidays, so I just wanted to think about resting mentally and physically and if it was going to happen, it was going to happen. I trust my people and I was convinced that it was going to happen.”
The forward signed in time to join the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, but a later-than-planned start to training has meant he’s still waiting to make his first appearance in a red shirt.
He may have to wait until the friendly against Fiorentina at Old Trafford, just a week before the Premier League kicks off, to make his debut.
While adjusting to life at United, Mbeumo has been spending time bonding with his new team-mates and looking for a chess partner during the trip.
“I’ve been told that Josh [Zirkzee] plays, so I might need to play against him and bring in the chess board,” he said.
“Playing online is anonymous. I have a user name, you choose a nickname and just play against random people online, and I use my own chess board against them.
“Chess, even if it’s not physical, there is a lot of thought.
“When you play football you have to think as well. Playing chess you can see some moves ahead because it is a strategy game. In football you have your strategy as well so you can link them together.
“There was one period where I was really, really into it.
“I was watching videos on YouTube doing training on the app. I think even for the brain, it’s really, really good.
“You’re doing football most of the time, every day, so sometimes you don’t really have time to develop other skills. I like creativity and stuff.”
