Mbeumo excited to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps at Manchester United
London
Bryan Mbeumo began playing football in a Manchester United shirt with Cristiano Ronaldo on the back and is overjoyed to have the chance to follow in the great's footsteps at the 'biggest club in the world'.
After seven weeks and some tense talks between the clubs, the 25-year-old finally completed his move from Brentford on Monday for £65 million ($87.6 million) plus a potential £6 million in add-ons.
Mbeumo has signed a deal until 2030, with the option of a further season, at what he calls the 'club of my dreams' - one whose shirt he wore as a kid growing up in France.
'From the start I wanted to join this club, this massive club, and now I'm here and I'm just really happy,' the Cameroon international told club media.
'For me, it's the biggest club in the world, in England as well. I think the fans are crazy, the stadium is amazing, and I think every player wants to play here.
'I think my first top was a Manchester United top with Ronaldo behind. It's just such a big club and, yeah, I'm really happy to be here.'
Mbeumo says he idolized Ronaldo and Lionel Messi growing up, as well as admiring Neymar and Eden Hazard, and joins Matheus Cunha in bolstering what has been a blunt United attack.
The forward says the Brazil international will 'bring something new' to a team that he is excited to get to know better when they head to the United States for their pre-season tour on Tuesday.
'I think it's really important for me joining a new club,' Mbeumo said. 'It's important to create links as soon as possible, automatism as well with the team-mates, so in and out the pitch.
'The spirit is really important. Yeah, create a group, being involved as soon as possible, for me, it's something really important.'
Mbeumo links up with United after scoring 20 Premier League goals for Brentford under Thomas Frank, who has since moved on to Tottenham and is someone he sees similarly to new boss Ruben Amorim.
'I think they have similar values,' he said. 'He seems really close to his players and his mentality, his winning thinking every time.
This is a thing that I need.
'It seems to be a really good group. I think the spirit is really important for winning and, yeah, with the gaffer I heard only good things about the team.'
Meanwhile, defender Harry Maguire is not flying with United for their US pre-season tour due to a personal matter, the PA news agency understands.
The club are hoping he will be able to join the group in due course.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Gibbs-White signs new 3-year deal with Nottingham Forest
PA Media/dpa London Morgan Gibbs-White has dashed Tottenham's hopes of signing him by committing to a 'record' new contract at Nottingham Forest. It represents a remarkable turnaround from earlier this month when Spurs appeared to have triggered the £60 million ($80.6 million) release clause in the 25-year-old's previous deal at the City Ground. However, a potential move stalled as Forest threatened legal action over an alleged illegal approach for the player. After weeks of uncertainty, Gibbs-White now appears to have been convinced by the ambition of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and has agreed to stay on improved terms. The club posted on X: 'A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis, as Morgan Gibbs-White signs a record deal at the Club until the summer of 2028.' Marinakis added on the club's website: 'Morgan is a special player - not just in terms of talent, but character and mentality. He represents everything we want this football club to be - he is a winner, talented, ambitious, fearless and proud. Gibbs-White, who joined Forest from Wolves three years ago, shone last seasonas the East Midlands side finished seventh in the Premier League.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Rashford makes Barca debut during friendly win in Japan
PA Media/dpa Tokyo Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for Barcelona in a 3-1 friendly win against Vissel Kobe in Japan. The 27-year-old, who has joined the Catalan club from Manchester United on a season-long loan, was introduced at half-time before being withdrawn after 78 minutes. Rashford had an effort saved during his first outing for Hansi Flick's side, who took the win courtesy of goals from Eric Garcia, Roony Bardghji and academy star Pedro Fernandez. Bardghji, another new arrival from Copenhagen, put Barcelona back in front after Taisei Miyashiro had levelled for the hosts. Spain star Lamine Yamal, 18, was presented with Barcelona's famous number 10 shirt - previously worn by the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi - before kick-off. Flick, quoted on Barcelona's website, explained why Rashford only played for 33 minutes, saying: 'He's a week behind the others. He hasn't been training as much with the ball, and we want to look after him.' Rashford, in a Barca video shown by Sky Sports News, said: 'Good performance, good to play in front of the fans, good (for) fitness. So I'm looking forward to the next games. 'Pleased that we could win the game today but of course the most important thing is just settling in and, for the team, getting the patterns in and playing good football and I thought we did that in both halves. 'It's difficult in games like that where you change the team at half-time, but I thought we did well.' He added: 'The reason I'm here is to help the team try to win. So I'm going to listen to whatever information I need to listen to and try to put it into the game and help the team go forward. 'I can play over different positions. It's one of my strengths, to play across the front line. I'll play where the team needs me and try to score goals and create goals from those positions.'
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Liverpool's Slot leaves Diaz out of friendly loss
PA Media/dpa London Liverpool head coach Arne Slot left Luis Diaz out of their 4-2 friendly defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong due to ongoing speculation about his future. Bayern Munich are understood to have reopened dialogue with the Premier League champions, having had an initial offer of ?67.5 million($79.2 million) dismissed last week. Liverpool have maintained they do not want to sell the forward - who has also attracted interest from Barcelona - and the Bundesliga champions' bid was way below their own valuation of ?100 million for an elite forward in the global market. Diaz turns 29 in January and has two years left on his current deal but has not yet had an offer of a new contract. 'In Lucho's (Diaz's) situation, there's a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that,' said Slot. 'He's training really well with us but we have decided for now not to play him yet. 'I'm used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. I cannot comment much more about that.' Asked whether Diaz wanted to leave, Slot added: 'That is not the person to ask, me.' Striker Darwin Nunez, whose own future appears to lie away from Anfield, and midfielder Wataru Endo missed the game with minor fitness issues. Club-record signing Florian Wirtz made his first start as a false nine, with latest signing Hugo Ekitike left out of the squad, having only arrived on Thursday. Slot played two different starting XIs in each half, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and left back Kostas Tsimikas both required to fill a centre back role after Joe Gomez returned home for treatment on an Achilles injury. 'We thought it was better to assess it back in England and for him to work on him to come back to the team, probably in more ideal circumstances for him,' added Slot, who denied Gomez's absence left him dangerously-short in the position after selling Jarrell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. 'I don't think we have a concern at centre back. I think Ryan (Gravenberch) showed today that he can play in that position. He did it last season as well. 'Although we all know we favour him as a number six, Wata (Endo) can play there. Joe Gomez only has a minor injury, he has been good for us last season as well. 'We have enough options left but it's true that Jarell Quansah left and we haven't replaced him yet.'
